Marathwada floods destroy 30 per cent of its cultivated land

After facing drought for four consecutive years, Marathwada farmers are staring at crop losses again this time after floods caused by the heavy rains. Going by the state’s preliminary estimation, nearly 15 lakh hectares of cultivated area, which is

After facing drought for four consecutive years, Marathwada farmers are staring at crop losses again this time after floods caused by the heavy rains. Going by the state’s preliminary estimation, nearly 15 lakh hectares of cultivated area, which is more than 30% of the cultivated area in the region had been hit. Activists from the region peg this figure at more than 50 per cent.

The Manjara dam in Osmanabad, which supplies water to nine regions, including Latur, started overflowing on Tuesday. (Satish Bate)

According to data released by rainfall recording and analysis wing of the state agriculture department, the region has received 140.3% more than its average annual rainfall this year. The actual rainfall in the region from June 1 to September 30 was 556.1mm. Of the eight districts comprising the Marathwada region, Beed, Latur, Osmanabad, Nanded and Parbhani have received more than the average annual rainfall. But, even before farmers could celebrate the good news,the heavy rainfall led to floods destroying sown crops like soyabean. Soyabean and cotton constitute the two main crops of the region, which have suffered losses.

“The state administration still needs one week to ascertain the total crop losses,’’ said Umakant Dangat, divisional commissioner. “There were incessant rains in most parts of the region and we were unable to start doing panchnamas,” he added.

Preliminary reports suggested the crop loss in the floods is around 15 lakh hectares of the total 49.02 lakh hectares of the total cultivation, confirmed chief secretary Swadhin Kshatriya.

“Around 78%, of the total affected farmers, are covered under the Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana (Prime Minister’s crop insurance scheme) while the rest will get help from the state government after panchnama (actual ground inspection) of the farms is completed,” the chief secretary told HT.

Figures from relief and rehabilitation department states that against the average cultivation for Kharif season — 46.14 lakh hectares, the farming community of the region this year cultivated 49.03 lakh hectares of land, which is 14% more than the average cultivation.

HM Desarda, vice-president, Maharashtra State Drought Prevention and Eradication Committee, which works for the cause of agriculture development said that the farmers of the region are in dire need of financial assistance as they have been left with nothing for their survival after the floods.

“The crop insurance money will take time to come as the insurance firms have a lengthy procedure to follow but families of the farmers need money for their immediate survival. “Farmers should be given Rs300 per day as subsistence allowance,” Desarda stressed.

He further said that the state government should provide Rs10,000 per hectares (Rs 4000 per acre) to each and every farmer so that they can start sowing operations again as the land still has moisture.