Northern Karnataka: Drought and dying crops force farmers to migrate to cities for work

The drought-like situation in Northern Karnataka has taken a heavy toll on the lives of farmers, as their crops gradually wither away, deprived of the vital water they need to thrive. The absence of rainfall continues to cast a shadow over the agricultural landscape.

Farmers in the North Karnataka region are constantly tense about the region's rainfall, and the expected amount has not yet arrived. They travel to Hubballi - Dharwad every day from the outskirts of Gadag and other parts of North Karnataka in search of work. 

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“This farmer’s life has tired me. The hand that is supposed to feed everyone has been stretched for food and work elsewhere. If this continues, Annadaata will have to eat soil...” teared up a farmer of Shiraguppi while speaking to the media. He has been coming to Hubballi every day in search of work.

Northern Karnataka suffers from drought, as the expected amount of rainfall has not yet arrived even after June. The monsoon was supposed to enter Karnataka by June. Farmers’ lives have been affected as the crops continue to wither away due to lack of water. 

Numerous farmers migrate daily towards the city, as the lack of rain disrupts their lives. Most of Northern Karnataka faces water scarcity and now lacks rainfall. They have sowed the crops in the belief of monsoons. But, they are travelling towards the city in search of daily wages.

Every morning, 1200-1500 people stand beside the Hubballi Railway station along the Gadag road. They travel across cities for daily wages and in search of work, hoping that the monsoon will arrive someday.

The people from Haveri, Gadag, Kusugal, Kiresur, Hebsur, Navalgund, Nagaralli, Ingalalli, Bhadrapur, Manakwad, Annigeri, Mishrikoti, Kalghatgi move to Hubballi every day to earn money. However, there is no guarantee that everyone will get work in Hubballi. Most people work in Railway stations to carry the pieces of baggage of travellers. Others go for construction sites. Some leave empty-handed to their villages, hoping they will receive rainfall the next day.

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"It’s the farmer who suffers, even if it rains or not. I had sowed green gram on my field, confident about rains. Now, they are dead. If the situation worsens, I will have to find another job,” said Mallappa Shivapur of Kalghatgi.

"The Monsoon has given up completely, and I request the government to announce drought. It should provide compensation to the farmers immediately. I used to provide work for tens of people on my farmland. Now, I am searching for work, roaming in the city,” said Ramanna Byalahunasi.