Food grain production to fall by 20%

BANGALORE: Agriculture Minister Umesh Katti said that food grains production will come down by 20 per cent during the current fiscal year due to drought situation prevailing in the state. “About 100 taluks are reeling under drought. There are no timely rains. It is estimated that the food grain production will fall by 20 per cent as per experts and department officials,” Katti said, while speaking to reporters here on Saturday. Stating that the proposed two-day global agri-business development summit will have more funds from Indian companies rather than foreign ones, Katti said, “Apart from persuading the companies to invest in agri-business development, the summit will focus enabling farmers to get market linkages.”