Agriculture Department launches rapid roving survey of crops in Kalaburagi district

The Department of Agriculture has launched a rapid roving survey to assess the health of major crops grown during the 2025–26 agricultural year in Kalaburagi district. The survey, which began on Wednesday, will continue for eight weeks, according to Joint Director of Agriculture Samad Patel.

The survey will cover pigeon pea (toor dal), cotton, and sugarcane sown during the kharif season, as well as groundnut, jowar, and other crops cultivated during the rabi season. The objective is to monitor the incidence of pests, diseases, and other crop disorders and to advise farmers on appropriate management practices.

“Seven teams comprising officers from the Agriculture Department and scientists from University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, have been formed for the joint survey. Each Wednesday, these teams will visit fields in different villages across all 11 taluks of the district to study crop conditions, identify pest or disease outbreaks, and guide farmers on preventive and control measures,” Mr. Patel said in a media note on Wednesday.

In addition, every Thursday for the next eight weeks, agricultural officers and scientists will hold interactive sessions with farmers over All India Radio, sharing information on emerging pest and disease trends and discussing best practices for crop protection, he added.

The programme was launched in the presence of B.M. Doddmani, Associate Director of Research, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur; Raju Tegeli, Entomologist Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kalaburagi; the Deputy Directors of Agriculture from Kalaburagi and Sedam and Assistant Directors of Agriculture from all taluks, along with other agricultural scientists.

The initiative aims to strengthen field-level pest surveillance, promote timely response to crop health issues, and reduce yield losses across the district, Mr. Patel said.