Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge said the State government would make every effort to ensure that the proposed Millet Hub is established in Kalaburagi district, provided the Agriculture Department submits a detailed project report (DPR) along with a blueprint at the earliest.

The establishment of a Millet Hub was announced in the 2026-27 State Budget, but the location has not yet been finalised as several districts have staked claim for it, he said.

The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the district-level Millet Fair-2026 in Kalaburagi city on Saturday. The event was organised jointly by the district administration, zilla panchayat, and the Agriculture Department for releasing interim crop insurance compensation to 2.90 lakh farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Mr. Kharge said the proposed Millet Hub aims to promote millets by creating a dedicated centre for agricultural product promotion, research, processing, and distribution. He added that just as “Kalaburagi rotti” has earned a brand identity, a digital marketing platform would also be created for millets to enable farmers to connect directly with consumers.

To enhance farmers’ income, Custom Hiring Service Centres have been opened across the district, enabling farmers to rent nine types of agricultural machinery at subsidised rates under a project costing ₹4.45 crore, he said. Additionally, four drone-based spraying centres have been established at a cost of ₹1.97 crore.

A cold storage facility is being constructed at Chittapur at a cost of ₹10 crore, and a similar facility will also be set up in Kalaburagi city for the storage of vegetables and tomatoes, he added.

Seven water treatment units are also being set up in the district at a cost of ₹7.58 crore. “Through these initiatives, the government aims to transform Kalaburagi district into an agriculture hub,” Mr. Kharge said.

₹2,590 crore relief in three years

Mr. Kharge said that 3.01 lakh farmers from the district have enrolled under the crop insurance scheme in the current year. He noted that heavy rains last year damaged crops across 3.24 lakh hectares, and ₹243.52 crore in interim compensation was released through DBT on Saturday to 2.90 lakh insured farmers.

Over the past three years, a total of ₹2,590 crore has been provided as relief to 15.47 lakh farmers under various schemes, including compensation for redgram crop damaged due to stem rot disease, crop damage relief, and drought assistance, he said.

Scientific survey helped secure higher compensation

B.R. Patil, MLAand vice-chairman of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission, said the scientific survey conducted jointly by the Agriculture and Revenue departments enabled farmers to receive compensation amounting to ₹243 crore. He opined that the compensation amount may increase further after crop harvest-based assessments were completed.

M.Y. Patil, MLA, said agriculture continues to be the primary sector providing employment to a majority of people. “The country’s economy and employment opportunities grow only when farmers cultivate crops,” he said.

Source - https://www.thehindu.com