80% of crops damaged in Gadag district, says Basavaraj Rayareddi

Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy addressing a press conference in Gadag on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Nearly 80% of crops in Gadag district have been damaged owing to a 32% overall deficit in rainfall compared with the normal, and the preliminary estimate of crop loss is ₹218 crore, said Higher Education and Gadag district in-charge Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi.Addressing a press conference at the Gadag District Stadium on Saturday, Mr. Rayareddi said that, as per Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s instructions, meetings had been held in all seven taluks covering the district’s four Assembly constituencies to assess the drought situation.“Except for Nargund, most taluks have experienced a rainfall deficit. Though Nargund received heavy rainfall in June, drough