Bhopal: With the monsoon playing truant, farmers in the state may be staring at a bleak future. Last year, due to over-production, the farmers could not get remunerative prices for Arhar, Moong and other crops. That had triggered a state-wide farmers’ agitation. The pendulum now seems to have moved to the other extreme, as the state may witness a sharp drop in farm production.
Many districts in the state have not yet received even half of the average rainfall. As many as 29 districts have recorded less than average rainfall. And this has started impacting the crops. Paddy crops have been almost ruined in three divisions – Chambal, Gwalior and Shahdol. The harsh sun is damaging Soyabean crops too. The production of maize and other crops which are not as water-intensive as soyabean and paddy may also fall.
The state government had estimated that soyabean would be sown in 55 lakh hectare area in the state. However, the actual figure is only 50 lakh hectares. As such the gross production is unlikely to exceed 40 lakh MTs.
According to Mohanlal Meena, director agriculture, deficient rains have started impacting paddy, soyabean and other crops in the state. He said if it rained over the next 8 days, the situation might be salvaged. Otherwise, the farmers might suffer a big loss. Meena said the quality of the produce might also be adversely affected.
So far, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Dindori, Narsinghpur, Sagar, Damoh, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Shahdol, Anuppur, Umaria, Dewas, Shajapur, Agar-Malwa, Morena, Sheopur, Bhind, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Ashoknagar, Datia, Bhopal, Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha, Harda and Betul districts have recorded deficient rainfall.
Deficient rains may also trigger virus attacks on the crops in these districts. The agriculture department is already receiving reports of Yellow Mozaic afflicting crops in some districts. The department has issued an advisory to the farmers for dealing with pest attacks.
Rajesh Rajora, principal secretary, Agriculture said that due to deficient rains, besides fall in production, virus attacks also become a problem. But, he insisted, there is still hope. If it rains over the next few days, the situation may improve.
