Production of paddy in the Konkan region of Maharashtra could have a big impact due to irregular monsoon rains and fungal diseases. In 2017, the region had reported around 12.5 lakh tonnes of production, which could dip by 15 -20 percent this season.
It must be noted that out of 33 districts, paddy is cultivated in 32 districts but Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Sindhudurg are the major areas of production. After the initial arrival of monsoon, there has been a long dry spell that has affected the paddy production.
According to agriculturist, Vivek Bhide from Ratnagiri district, ‘though Konkan region has reported 106 percent of standard rainfall this year, but instability in rains has led to fungal diseases’. Rice millers have also reported lower quantities of paddy being bought for processing. Bhide said that keeping in mind the topography of Konkan regions, terrace farming techniques are widely used here. And it has been observed that farms on top of the terrace have received less rainfall.
A senior official of Maharashtra Government said, growers who had planted the rice before the arrival of monsoon are harvesting their crops but with a dip of 15 -20 percent in production. Moreover fungal diseases are also increasing and fungicides are getting costly thus, growers are using it in diluted concentrations, to prevent high input costs.
