KA Eco Survey

Study Notes

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.