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Rain damages crops, govt assures compensation to farmers
Unseasonal rains and hailstorms in Maharashtra damaged crops like onions and mangoes, prompting government surveys and promises of assistance for affected farmers.
PUNE: Thursday’s unseasonal rains and hailstorms damaged onion, mango, grape, pomegranate and other agricultural crops throughout Maharashtra. Farmers mainly from Marathwada, North Maharashtra and Western Maharashtra were the most affected.
State agriculture minister Dattatray Bharne said, “Because of heavy rains in many parts of the state, there has been huge agricultural damage. We are doing survey of losses. Our government will provide all necessary assistance to the affected farmers.”
Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the government will compensate farmers after assessing and estimating the extent of their losses.
Keshar Mango Research Center director Sanjay Patil said, “Due to heavy rainfall, the Keshar mango yield will decrease.” Keshar mango is mainly found in the Marathwada region.
Onion farmer Sanjay Desale from Pimpalgaon in Nashik district said that waterlogging completely damaged his onion crop. “Now there is no hope of getting onions in good condition,” he said.
Another onion farmer, Kiran Thakre from Satana Taluka in Nashik district, said, “I stored the onion on my farm but the rains and hailstorms caused extensive damage. I will have to throw away almost 30 to 40 percent of them now.”
Grape farmer Vilas Gangurde said that since he had already sold 70% of his grapes, only the remaining 30% were damaged by the rains. “Now I will have to sell them at throwaway prices,” he rued.
