While the state government has announced financial relief packages for the rain hit farmers, those in Khed claim that no government authority has even bothered to tally the losses and offer compensation yet.
Farmers from Khed district are the worst hit by the unseasonal rainfall that struck Maharashtra in early March. Approximately crops worth Rs 3.5 crore to 5 crore were damaged and the livelihood of at least 500 farmers has been affected due to the rainfall, according to data from Khed Agricultural Produce Market Committee.
While the state government has announced financial relief packages for the rain hit farmers, those in Khed claim that no government authority has even bothered to tally the losses and offer compensation yet.
Speaking with iamin, Ram Gore, former head of Khed Agricultural Produce Market Committee and a representative of farmers in Khed and Chakan said, "Numerous sacks of onions, which were ready to be sold, ended up getting spoilt due to the damp weather. The vegetable which is usually sold for Rs 14 to Rs 15 a kg had to be sold at Rs 8 per kg. The farmers sustained heavy losses because of the sudden rains."
Unseasonal rainfall and hailstorm in certain areas, has destroyed numerous rabi crops in the district. Khed, which majorly produces onions, jowar and wheat, has incurred losses worth Rs 3.5 crore as far as only onions stocks are concerned.
Not just the crops ready for sale, the ones planted in the many acres of agricultural land in Khed, have also been damaged. "I had planted onion crops in 10 acres of land and jowar in 3 acres. But, the onions had to be harvested before time, which meant that I had to compromise on its quality. The jowar plants have turned blue after the rains and I do not think that they will yield a good harvest,” said Ankush Powar, farmer from Khakundre village in Khed.
Even after a week of the heavy showers, the farmers complain that no government officials have visited the district to find out the amount of losses incurred. "They have not bothered to calculate the individual losses that we have sustained, so how are they managing to give us the compensation?” added Power.
Sandip Mohite, a farmer from Bhonardi village said, “I had wheat grains and they are all spoilt now because of the rains. I have incurred losses worth 4 crores approximately and I do not know about other farmers. The waivers, subsidies and relief funds should be released before any farmer loses hopes and commits suicide."
In order to support the farmers, MLA Suresh Gore has demanded that the Chief Minister must look into the issues and allot funds immediately to farmers, depending upon the losses they have sustained.
For the longer version of the report, click here
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "crops-rainfall-pune")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}