The cabinet meeting here approved the special package for farmers of Hassan, Chikmagalur, Belgaum, Dharwad, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Bangalore Rural districts, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Vishweswara Hegde Kageri told reporters.
The government has estimated that 2.24 lakh tons of potato cultivated on 42,249 hectares has been damaged.
The government has decided to extend Rs 5,000 as compensation per hectare with a upper limit for two hecatres to every farmers irrespective the land holding, implying that a farmer would get Rs 10,000 relief.
The cabinet decided to extend the Comprehensive Horticulture Development Project under implementation in the state to newer areas, investing Rs 525 crore in the next three years, he said adding that this year an expenditure of Rs 150 crore is planned.
"Under the scheme, aimed at boosting horticulture crop,the government will encourage mechanised farming scientific management of pests and creation of marketing network," Kageri said, adding Karnataka has requested the Centre for Rs 125 crore assistance for the project.