Good rain in the last few days is bringing back farmers to their fields and agricultural activities have gathered momentum in the drought-prone district of Bellary. But this year too, farmers may face the threat of decline in food production, owing to mining activities in the region.
The district of Bellary has been witnessing flourishing activities in the mining sector for the past eight years. Due to hidden treasures of iron, manganese, bauxite, quartz, granite and other minerals, more and more industrialists are willing to establish mining operation units and yards in Bellary district. As a result, at present, the district has over 60 mines, 40 sponge iron units, 80 stone crushers, 6-7 sponge iron crushers, over 200 iron and manganese ore dumping and storage yards. Nearly 1,500 excavators and JCB machines have been digging and trenching valuable mineral resources of the district. More than 12,000 lorries, tippers, dumpers and other vehicles have been exporting priceless mineral resources to other states and abroad. Apart from this, the Department of Railways too is providing wagon and goods train facilities to people who are involved in these activities.
Due to mining activities and the movement of heavy vehicles, food production in thousands of acres in the region has declined over the past many years. According to farmers of the area, the size of grains has also shrunk because of the huge amount of dust depositing on the ears of crops. Besides affecting the volume and size of grains, it has also led to substantial reduction in the nutritional value of grains.
According to senior officials of agriculture and horticulture departments, ‘this is not a new development’. Expressing helplessness, they say many complaints in this regard to the district administration has not yielded any result.
Scientists opine that pollution caused by poisonous substances emanating from mining activities has affected food production.  
Over the past one year, the district has witnessed over 100 protests against mining activities, but no action has been taken to stop it altogether. In fact, many farmers are now looking for alternative means of livelihood.