Estimated number of farmers that cultivate paddy in Raichur, Koppal and Bellary districts, popularly known as the “Rice Bowl of Karnataka”. The region produces high-quality Sona Masuri rice that is in great demand across the India and exported to several countries. The farmers in the region grow two crops of paddy in a year depending on availability of water from the Tungabhadra reservoir.

Command area (extent of area which is irrigated) of the dam in the rice bowl districts Raichur, Koppal and Bellary districts of Karnataka. Of this 6 lakh acres is in Raichur and Koppal districts and the rest in Bellary.

Estimated rice cultivated in the rice bowl region each year.

Output of rice from the several rice processing mills in the region. Besides Raichur city, rice mills are situated in Manvi, Sindhanur, Karatagi, Gangavathi, Sirguppa and other urban centres.

Number of rice mills in Raichur city alone. These mills have the capacity to hull and process 3,000 to 6,000 tonnes of paddy daily. While small mill owners have invested around Rs 2 crore to establish a mill, the bigger ones have invested upto Rs 20 crore, apart from the working capital.

Number of rice mills located in Koppal district, mostly centered in Gangavati and Karatagi talukas.

Estimated number of rice mills located mainly in Raichur, Bellary, Tumkur and Koppal districts. The industry has provided jobs to thousands directly, with at least a hundred people working for each mill. A good number of mill workers are from Bihar, who get a daily wage of Rs 300 to Rs 400 besides two meals.