The weather in Lingadalli hobli is conducive for the potatoes. On an average, the growers grow 25,000 tonne potatoes every year.
Unfortunately, deficit monsoon has nipped the farmers’ hope from the bud. The potato growers in the hobli are fearing of losing potato seeds.
The farm labourers who were dependent on the crops have started migrating to city in search of employment.
Potato is grown in over 10,000 acre fertile land in Udeva, Yaradankalu, Gulladamane, Kenchapura, Mallenahalli, Hulithimmapura, Nandibattalu, Siddarahalli, Tanigebailu, Ballavara, Krishnapura, Hosagangoor, Kallathipura, Thyagadabagi, Malligenahalli, Nandihosalli and Varthegundi. Anticipating rain, the farmers had purchased potato seeds, fertilisers, insecticides, by spending Rs 35,000 are anxious over their future.
“About 60 per cent of potato seeds have been damaged. If we fail to receive rainfall in the next one week, then we will lose all the potato seeds which we had purchased. We will lose everything. We have borrowed loan to purchase seeds. How can we pay back the loan and lead a life?” asks farmers.
The farmers said “district administration should urge the state government to waive off the loan borrowed by the farmers of this hobli and check migration of labourers to city in search of job.”
