While the city may have experienced some moderate rainfall over the past 24 hours, district agriculture officials have expressed apprehension about the impact it will have on Kharif crops in the district. Kharif crops, which play a vital role in India’s agricultural landscape, have been sown on approximately 1.75 lakh hectares in the region. Alarmingly, cultivation on 1 lakh hectares is currently in a ‘precarious’ state across 13 tehsils in rural Pune, according to officials. Crops such as soybean, bajra, as well as green and black grams, have suffered due to a prolonged gap in rainfall throughout August.
Sanjay Kachole, the District Agriculture Officer, voiced his concerns, stating, “The situation is worrisome. We have recorded only 39% of rainfall against the average in August.” This significant deficit in rainfall has put crops in tehsils including Baramati, Indapur, Daund, Shirur, North Haveli, Khed, Ambegaon, and Junnar in a perilous condition.
Soybean cultivation, which spans 44,000 hectares, is among the most affected, given its high water requirements for optimal growth. The shortage of water has adversely impacted soybean plantations, putting them in danger at multiple locations. Even if the region receives rain in September, it is unlikely that farmers will achieve the expected yield this season, potentially resulting in a 40% decrease in production.
This period is pivotal for Kharif crops as they are either in the flowering stage or early harvesting stage. The absence of rainfall over the next few days could prove detrimental to the overall harvest, compounding the challenges faced by farmers.
To mitigate the impact on farmers, the district administration has instructed crop insurance companies to provide 25% compensation to green and black gram farmers in the Shirur tehsil. However, many farmers feel that this amount is insufficient and are calling for comprehensive contingency plans to rescue distressed farmers.
Kamlesh Shinde, a farmer from Takli village in Shirur, expressed his concerns, saying, “However, the amount is paltry. It will not make any difference to us. The government should make a comprehensive contingency plan to rescue distressed farmers.”
Meanwhile, the district agriculture authorities are actively working on a contingency plan for the upcoming Rabi season. Sanjay Kachole assured, “Farmers are going through a tough phase currently due to the lack of rainfall in the state. We will try and help them resolve their issues by making available adequate seeds of Rabi crops in the market.”
In addition to the challenges faced by Kharif crops, sugarcane plantations in the region have been severely impacted by white grubs, further exacerbating the plight of farmers. Agriculture activist Shantaram Sarwade from Khed highlighted the financial burden on farmers, who are spending a substantial amount on disease control measures, which could also adversely affect sugar production.
As the agricultural community grapples with these challenges, timely government intervention and support become crucial in sustaining the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring food security in the region.
