KA Eco Survey _Agri

Plant Protection

• Seed treatment campaigns are conducted to protect crops from seed and soil-borne diseases and to increase yields.
• Training programs are conducted to create awareness among farmers about the safe and judicious use of pesticides.
• Pesticides are distributed at 50% subsidy to farmers.
• Mobile Plant Health Clinics are established at 224 RSKs covering all districts in the state to monitor soil conditions, nutritional requirements, and pest/disease identification and management.

Relief for Crops Damaged by Diseases

• Compensation is provided to farmers whose agricultural fields are affected by diseases like Wilt disease of Redgram crop during Kharif 2022-23.

Agricultural Mechanization

• Mechanization of farm operations helps reduce drudgery, saves time, and improves efficiency and farm productivity.
• Subsidies are provided to general farmers (50%) and farmers belonging to Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe (90%) limited to Rs.1.00 lakh.

Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

• The scheme aims to promote farm mechanization and increase the ratio of farm power to a cultivable unit area up to 2.5 kW/ha.

Agro-Processing

• Agro-processing equipment is made available to farmers, Self Help Groups, and Farm Women at subsidized rates to encourage value addition of farm produce and increase income.
• Agro-processing units are provided to SC/ST farmer groups, women SHG's, and individual farmers with an assistance of 90% or a maximum of Rs1.00 lakhs.

Food and Nutrition Security (FNS)

• National Food Security Mission is renamed as Food and Nutrition Security from 2022-23.
• FNS includes sub-missions on rice, pulses, coarse cereals, nutri cereals, commercial crops, and oilseeds.
• Targeting Rice fallow areas-oilseeds (TRFA-oilseeds) and Targeting Rice fallow areas-pulses (TRFA-Pulses) are implemented with 60% central and 40% state share.

Soil Health Mission

• 86.81 lakh farm holdings exist in Karnataka.
• 30 soil testing laboratories (29 static & 1 mobile soil testing lab) cater to the needs of farmers.
• 291 village-level soil testing labs are established by providing subsidies to selected beneficiaries under NMSA Soil Health Management.

Agriculture

• The Department of Agriculture implements various schemes and programs for the overall welfare of the farming community.
• The department ensures timely supply of important inputs like seeds, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, and farm equipment.
• Demonstration programs are conducted to achieve maximum output from available natural resources.

Vision and Mission

• The vision is to accomplish productivity enhancement, cost reduction for sustainable agriculture, and ensure increased income, farmers' welfare, and food security in Karnataka.
• The mission is to:
  • Achieve 4.5% sustained growth rate in the agriculture sector.
  • Promote climate-resilient agriculture with adequate drought-proofing and natural resources conservation.
  • Promote farmer-friendly Research & Development, education, and effective technology transfer for cost reduction.

Monsoon in 2023

• Pre-monsoon rainfall during March-May was normal, with an average rainfall of 116 mm.
• Cumulative rainfall during the southwest monsoon period from 1st June to 30th September 2023 was 642mm, with a deficit of 25% compared to normal.
• Out of 236 taluks, 223 taluks are declared as drought-affected, with 196 taluks under severe category and 27 taluks under moderate category.
• Cumulative rainfall during the northeast monsoon period from 1st October to 31st December was 114 mm, with a deficit of 38% compared to normal.

Land Holdings

• As per Agriculture Census 2015-16, there are 86.81 lakh farm holdings operating an area of 118.05 lakh hectares.
• The average size of holding is 1.36 hectares.
• Small and marginal holdings account for 80% of total holdings.
• Semi-medium holdings account for 20% of total holdings and operate 44% of the total operated area.

Agricultural Production

• Area and production of major crops in the state are:
  • Cereals: 42.22 lakh hectares, 93.36 lakh tonnes
  • Pulses: 28.37 lakh hectares, 18.96 lakh tonnes
  • Total food grains: 70.59 lakh hectares, 112.32 lakh tonnes
  • Oilseeds: 9.68 lakh hectares, 9.90 lakh tonnes
  • Cotton: 7.09 lakh hectares, 16.91 lakh bales
  • Sugarcane: 7.00 lakh hectares, 583.10 lakh tonnes

Cropping Pattern

• The state is divided into 10 agro-climatic zones on the basis of distribution and percentage of rainfall, soil quality, height from the sea, and major crops.
• Almost all cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops are cultivated in different parts of the state.