Hunagund taluk of Bagalkot was a drought prone area in Karnataka, but thanks to the state government’s efforts and adoption of techniques of Israeli agriculture, 59,305 acres (24,000 hectares) of drought stricken land has been transformed into a fertile green pasture.

This transformation took place under the 'Ramthal Drip Irrigation Project'. The state government gave high priority to the project by allocating the highest funds under irrigation.

Due to these persistent efforts, in October, about 15,000 farmers across 50,000 plus acres will harvest their first Kharif crop in several years. Engineers of Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Limited ( KBJNL) of Water Resources department had educated these farmers about the efficient use of water.

The farmers are also being helped by engineers agronomists of Netafim  India Private Ltd and Jain Irrigation firms, who are implementing the project. They help out the farmers in various aspects from sowing to watering of the crops at the right time.

As a result, farmers who have been cultivating only maize and jowar have now taken up cultivation of vegetables, various grams, sunflower, soya bean, wheat, cow peas and cotton.

Israeli technology has been adopted where farmers are informed about the timing of water availability through SMS. Vasanth Ulli, assistant executive engineer of KBJNL informs that even when farmers are not present, water is supplied to the plants at the right time.