Farmers Worried as Incessant Rains in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh Damages Key Kharif Crops

Due to continuous rainfall and flooded fields, kharif crops in Gujarat as well as parts of Madhya Pradesh are getting damaged.

Main kharif crops that include cotton oilseeds and pulses have been damaged because of water-logged fields. If we talk about groundnut crop, with increased sowing at 15.52 lakh hectares this kharif season, as compared to 14.67 lakh hectares last year, growers had anticipated a higher output.

President of Gujarat region of Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Vitthal Dudhatara told media that “There is water logging in most groundnut fields and rain is still continuing. In such a situation, we will have a poor quality production. The fear is that it may not qualify for the MSP procurement. Hence farmers are facing increased uncertainty about their kharif crop”.

In addition, oilseed crops in Madhya Pradesh like soyabean have taken a beating. The Soyabean Processors Association is expected to conduct a crop survey this week that was delayed due to the water-logging. The condition of crop is believed to be weak because of increased moisture levels. However, the association will announce crop estimates on October 10.

Fear of Pink boll worm

Dudhatara emphasized that the crop condition for cotton & pulses besides other oilseeds is not any good. “There are reports of pink boll worm in some fields in Junagadh district. We are concerned that the wet climate condition will become a favourable ground for pest attacks. The crop has already been delayed by 20 to 25 days and there is no visible respite from rainfall in the next 5 days”.

Growers have started consulting the district administration regarding any likely support in case of a complete failure of the crop.

Mukeshbhai Patel, a cotton & groundnut farmer from Jamnagar district said, “There seems to be complete insensitivity towards the farmers. Incessant rains are destroying our crops & there is no word of relief or support from the government. We have started approaching the district authorities for some support”.

The State Agriculture Department told the kharif sowing for the year has reached 85.87 lakh hectares as against 82.27 lakh hectares in 2018.