Rain gap damages crops in Gondia; 20,400 hectares hit in Tiroda taluka

Rain held off for a long stretch in Gondia district this year, directly affecting kharif crops. Tiroda taluka has been hit hardest, with crops on about 20,400 hectares damaged. In all, 23,425 farmers in 125 villages of the taluka have been affected.

Sowing in Tiroda taluka this kharif season covered 31,868.01 hectares. But the rain stopped after sowing, and the effect on crop growth was clearly visible. The administration has completed the damage survey in all 125 villages of the taluka. Farmers are now waiting for financial assistance.

Surveys of damaged crops are also under way on a war footing in the district's other seven talukas: Gondia, Salekasa, Goregaon, Deori, Amgaon, Sadak Arjuni and Arjuni Morgaon. Details of affected area and farmers are being collected. Agriculture officials expect the work to be completed in the next four days. Once the report is ready, further action on assistance is expected.

The government has announced assistance of Rs 5,000 to farmers affected by the calamity before Diwali. A decision on the remaining assistance will be taken at the government level. Farmers are now waiting on that decision and the final figures.

Gondia is called the rice bowl, but this time paddy growers are struggling with several problems. The long gap in rain stunted crop growth. Fewer tillers emerged, grain filling was affected and soil moisture fell. Fears are being expressed that yields will drop for these reasons.

On top of this, pests and diseases such as stem borer, brown planthopper, aphids and blight have also spread. They have affected the growth of paddy, the condition of the ears and the grain-filling process. Farmers have had to spray repeatedly to save the crop. Money had already been spent on seed, fertiliser, labour, water and pesticides, so this has become an added burden.

As a result, the cost of production has gone up, and it is uncertain whether income will match expectations. Recovering the costs of sowing, seed, fertiliser, labour and ploughing and weeding has also become difficult. Crop loan repayment, rising costs and falling income have pushed farmers into financial distress. Hopes are therefore being expressed that the announced assistance will reach them soon.