Bhandara Faces Severe Crop Losses Amid Drought Conditions
Bhandara, known as Vidarbha's rice bowl, suffers significant paddy losses due to drought and pest infestations, prompting urgent assessments.
Bhandara's rice crop losses attributed to prolonged dry spells and pest attacks.
State government has declared three talukas as drought-like, with assessments ongoing in two more.
Minister Bhoyar assures farmers of support and expedited damage assessments.
Bhandara, a region renowned for its rice production in Vidarbha, is grappling with substantial losses in paddy crops following an extended dry period and pest infestations. Guardian Minister Pankaj Bhoyar has directed officials to accelerate the assessment process under Trigger-1 to address the dire situation. Recently, the state government classified three talukas in Bhandara as experiencing drought-like conditions, with assessments now underway in Tumsar and Mohadi to determine if they should also be included in this designation.
During his visit to Tumsar and Mohadi, Minister Bhoyar met with farmers who reported total crop failures due to insufficient rainfall. He noted that farmers had invested heavily in sowing, fertilizers, and land preparation, only to face the prospect of poor yields as rainfall was significantly below expectations. "The rain has turned its back when it was needed most, and farmers are understandably anxious about their harvests," Bhoyar remarked.
Sangita Mane, the district superintendent agriculture officer, highlighted that rice constitutes over 90% of the agricultural output in Bhandara, covering approximately 1.83 lakh hectares. Mane confirmed that a rapid crop damage assessment is being conducted, with results expected to be submitted to the authorities shortly. Additionally, cotton crops have also been adversely affected, with reports indicating that some farmers have begun sowing cotton but are facing challenges due to the lack of rainfall.
Minister Bhoyar expressed concerns about increased pest infestations linked to the dry weather, which has exacerbated the challenges faced by farmers. He stated, "The absence of rain has led to the proliferation of specific pests that damage crops, compounding the farmers' problems and leading to significant losses."
In light of the farmers' urgent calls for assistance, Bhoyar assured them that the government is committed to providing support. He instructed the administration to conduct thorough surveys across all affected areas and report back to the state government to facilitate timely relief measures. Meanwhile, Sakoli MLA Nana Patole criticized the government for not providing immediate relief, questioning the delay in action despite visible crop damage. He urged the government to act swiftly to support the farmers in distress.
