Returning Monsoon: Crop Loss Worths Rs 5,000 Crore in Maharashtra

Heavy rainfall owing to the returning monsoons in Maharashtra has caused heavy crop damage across the state. This is likely to slow down the rural economic activities for third consecutive year.

Satish Parab from Harkul Village of Kankavali tehsil, Sindhudurga, said he was hoping for good production of rice this year from his four-acre land. But the rainfall in the last week of October has washed out his crop. “There is knee-deep water in our field. I can’t even go into the field to cut whatever has remained. It has all collapsed and fallen into the water. We don’t think that even 30% of the crop is left now,” said Satish.

Arun Patil of Sangli's Tasgaon tehsil is a grape-producing farmer and owns a six-acre field. But with the returning monsoons, his crop has been completely damaged. “Our grapes go for export, mainly in the Middle East and Europe. But due to the rain, the quality of the crop will go down. It will affect our export. The rates will be down too. Even domestic market will collapse,” said Patil.

In Nasik's Baglan, Sudarshan Hiwale used to grow bajra. He told NewsClick that almost 80% of his crop has been washed out and rest 20% will be of low quality. “I don’t think any of the farmers in our area will be able to repay the crop loan this year,” he said.

Maharashtra government has given orders to the administrations regarding compilation of reports estimating damage. District collectors have been asked to submit these to the divisional commissioners. According to the primary reports, the total cost of the damage will be around Rs 5,000 crore.

Meanwhile, most of the political parties from the state are reaching out to the farmers in state. Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar is visiting the flood-affected farmers, starting from Nasik. Shiva Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to meet the farmers in Marathwada from the second week of November. Congress state president, Balasaheb Thorat, also visited farmers in Ahmednagar districts. All India Kisan Sabha leader Dr Ajit Nawale has demanded immediate relief and compensation for the farmers in state. Former MP Raju Shetti has also visited farmers from Western Maharashtra. Experts believe that BJP’s failure in reaching out to the farmers may result in formation of a non-BJP government in the end.