Chief Minister DK Shivakumar launched the disbursement of Rs 2,500 to farmers following a 35 per cent rainfall deficit during the monsoon.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday started paying the first instalment of interim input subsidy to farmers hit by drought during the 2026 monsoon. According to ANI, eligible farmers will receive Rs 2,500, which is the first part of a total Rs 5,000 assistance package, capped at two hectares per farmer.
The state government has declared 226 taluks as drought-affected after receiving 551 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 30, against a normal of 852 mm. This represents a 35 per cent deficit. A joint survey found that crops across 57.93 lakh hectares were affected, with estimated economic losses reaching Rs 62,481.88 crore.
The state has requested Rs 22,400.58 crore in financial aid from the Union government under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). The demand includes Rs 7,943.55 crore for crop-loss input subsidies, Rs 1,727 crore for drinking water, Rs 583.04 crore for livestock, and Rs 12,146.99 crore for livelihood assistance for 61.91 lakh small and marginal farmers.
G Parameshwara said the remaining assistance amount will be released once the Union Government releases NDRF funds. He noted that providing help to drought-affected farmers is a state priority. The state has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to request the urgent release of assistance and a relaxation of NDRF norms.
