Madikeri: With coffee growers in dire straits due to the vagaries of nature and crop loss, Coffee Board Secretary K.G. Jagadeesha held a video-conference with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of coffee-growing districts of Kodagu, Hassan and Chikkamagalur on Thursday.

During the video-conference, Jagadish directed the Board authorities to submit details regarding the area of crop loss, the number of growers, loss in terms of percentage and the money required for relief as per NDRF norms.

Coffee Board Deputy Director B. Shivakumara Swamy said that as at the end of September month, 22 villages where more than 33 percent of coffee-growing areas were damaged by rains and floods were identified. A survey on the extent of damage to crops in October and November will be carried out soon, he said adding that the survey will be carried out in association with Agriculture, Horticulture and Revenue Department officials.

Kodagu DC holds meeting: Meanwhile, Kodagu DC Dr. B.C. Satish has directed the officials to submit a report on the extent of damages caused to the infrastructure in the district.

He was addressing officials from various Departments at a meeting held at his office here on Thursday.

Directing the officials to immediately submit a report on the damages caused to the District’s infrastructure due to heavy rains in September and October, he said that there should be no complacency in maintaining accuracy in respect of estimating the losses.

Joint Director of Agriculture Shabana M. Shaikh, Deputy Director Muthuraj, Deputy Director of Horticulture Pramod, Tahsildar Mahesh, Shirastedar Pravin Kumar, Urban Planning Director P. Srinivas, CESC EE Ashok, PWD AEE Shivaram, Panchayat Raj Engineer Mahadevu, PMGSY Engineer Poovaiah, Veterinary Deputy Director Suresh Bhat, Fisheries Department Senior Assistant Director                                                                           K.T. Darshan, DHO Dr. R. Venkatesh and other officials were present.