<p>Congress leader and former water resources minister H K Patil asked the State government to consider investing in cloud seeding (artificially inducing rainfall) in the Cauvery basin in the wake of the drought.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Patil believes sufficient rain even during October and purchasing fodder machines can help grow grass in just one week, boosting the prospects of cattle owners. <br /><br />Patil recalled that during his stint as water resources minister in 2003, when Karnataka was facing a severe drought, cloud seeding was taken up for 83 days in 10 districts. It cost the exchequer Rs 10 crore. <br /><br />It was a big success, he said, speaking at a press conference with fellow Congressman B K Chandrashekar on Sunday in Bangalore. <br /><br />Currently, 146 of Karnataka’s 173 taluks are facing severe drought. Rabi crops, sown later in the season, are likely to fail if the drought continues. <br /><br />The government must make best use of the technology to find a solution to the problem, said Patil. To overcome the fodder shortage, the government must purchase oxygen-based fodder growing machines, he said. <br /><br />Growing grass naturally usually takes 60 days, but machines can produce grass in just seven days. The Krishi Vignana Kendra of Hulikote has a grass growing machine. If the government spends a few crores of rupees, it can purchase the machines for farmers, Patil said.<br /></p>
<p>Congress leader and former water resources minister H K Patil asked the State government to consider investing in cloud seeding (artificially inducing rainfall) in the Cauvery basin in the wake of the drought.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Patil believes sufficient rain even during October and purchasing fodder machines can help grow grass in just one week, boosting the prospects of cattle owners. <br /><br />Patil recalled that during his stint as water resources minister in 2003, when Karnataka was facing a severe drought, cloud seeding was taken up for 83 days in 10 districts. It cost the exchequer Rs 10 crore. <br /><br />It was a big success, he said, speaking at a press conference with fellow Congressman B K Chandrashekar on Sunday in Bangalore. <br /><br />Currently, 146 of Karnataka’s 173 taluks are facing severe drought. Rabi crops, sown later in the season, are likely to fail if the drought continues. <br /><br />The government must make best use of the technology to find a solution to the problem, said Patil. To overcome the fodder shortage, the government must purchase oxygen-based fodder growing machines, he said. <br /><br />Growing grass naturally usually takes 60 days, but machines can produce grass in just seven days. The Krishi Vignana Kendra of Hulikote has a grass growing machine. If the government spends a few crores of rupees, it can purchase the machines for farmers, Patil said.<br /></p>
