Sugarcane farmers in Karnataka have sought a waiver on agricultural loans in view of drought in the State.
Addressing mediapersons here on Sunday, Kurubur Shanthakumar, president, Karnataka State Sugarcane Cultivators Association, said 14 lakh hectares of land were under sugarcane cultivation last year and it has come down to 8 lakh hectares during the current year. But the prolonged water stress due to failure of monsoon has affected the standing crops, which were wilting and the yield was expected to decline by 40%, he added.
As a result, the cultivators were in distress and yet there was no relief from the State and the Centre, said Mr. Shanthakumar. “The sugar mills were delaying release of arrears due to the farmers adding to their misery and financial distress,” he added.
