Drought and scanty rain cut maize yield in Chopda, leaving farmers in financial distress
Maize growers in Jalgaon's Chopda taluka report poor yields and low prices, and cannot even pay harvest labour, in a drought-hit Maharashtra.
Drought conditions prevail in the state at present. The government has declared drought in 32 of the state's 36 districts.
Farmers growing maize in Chopda taluka of Jalgaon have also been hit. Rainfall was low here, and standing crops in the fields are in poor condition. The crop did not grow properly, and the effect on yield is plain to see.
Because of the drought, maize production is lower this year. The market has been affected too. Maize growers are not getting a fair price, so the money spent on cultivation has gone to waste. Farmers say they do not even have the money to pay labourers for the harvest.
Labourers are needed to pluck the maize cobs and gather them, and this is a major expense for farmers. Harvesting is now being done by machine, which costs extra. They will then have to pay for a tractor to carry the maize to the market, the maize growers said.
Another big question before farmers is what price their maize will fetch in the market. This year, drought and a shortfall in rain have sharply reduced the maize yield. Farmers are struggling with financial distress as a result.
The state government needs to provide farmers with financial relief and other measures during the drought. These include restructuring of crop loans, a waiver on electricity bills for farm pumps and waiving examination fees for farmers' children. Arranging water and fodder is also said to be necessary.
The government has framed some schemes for farmers, and it is essential that they reach them. For instance, it is considered necessary to start as many works as possible for farmers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
