Central team inspects drought-hit farms in Jalna; farmers demand compensation

An inter-ministerial team of the Central government assessed drought-like conditions on the ground in Jalna district, where the lack of rain is causing heavy damage to farming. The team visited Nanegaon in Badnapur tehsil, and Kinagaonwadi and Jamkhed in Ambad tehsil. It gathered information on the condition of crops, the availability of water and the problems farmers face. After the tour, the team will submit a report on the situation to the government.

The team was headed by Muktanand Agarwal, Joint Secretary and Chief Executive Officer in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The team visited different farms and looked at the crops. Farmers were asked how the break in the rain had affected crop growth and how much the yield could fall.

At Nanegaon in Badnapur tehsil, the team saw the scorched soybean crop on farmer Shivaji Dongre's field. At Kinagaonwadi in Ambad tehsil, it went to Udal Haricahand Shihire's farm, where the sweet lime trees have withered and the farm pond is dry.

The team also inspected the ginger on Shivlal Gange's field, the cotton on Balchand Gange's field and the bajra crop on Santosh Guruke's field at Jamkhed. At Ganesh Junjar's farm, it looked at a dry well and asked about the availability of water.

The team also visited the Galhati medium project in Ambad tehsil, which has now dried up. It asked about the water supply to villages that depend on the project, the falling water available for irrigation, and the difficulties of 106 families who earn their living by fishing. Cotton on Uttamrao Salunke's field in the project area and sugarcane on other farms were also inspected. Officials concerned briefed the team on the difficulties that water shortage has created for farming.

Farmers told the team about the break in the rain, crop losses, rising costs and the lack of water for irrigation. They said bad weather was upsetting the economics of farming, and expressed the hope that the government would help immediately.

Agriculture department officials gave the team full details of how much rain the district has received, the present condition of kharif crops and the drought-like conditions. The team will submit its report to the government on the basis of the on-the-spot inspection and its talks with farmers.

All eyes are now on what decisions are taken on compensation or other assistance for farmers after the report. Farmers demand that crop losses be assessed correctly and financial aid be given, and that effective steps be taken to ease the water shortage.