Vidarbha Farmers' Crop Choice Dilemma
Nagpur: Cotton and soybean growers in Vidarbha are facing a dilemma ahead of the upcoming sowing season. After receiving poor returns from traditional crops like cotton, soybean, and tur, many farmers found a better alternative in maize.
However, the threat of crop raids by wild animals continues to be a major concern.Last year, farmers failed to secure good prices for traditional crops. Cotton rates hovered around the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹7,500 per quintal, while soybean prices stayed near ₹4,000 per quintal until the government began procurement at the MSP. The open market prices for tur remained subdued at around ₹7,000 per quintal.Frequent financial losses have compelled farmers to explore alternative crops. Maize, being a sturdy and high-yield crop, emerged as a profitable option, especially due to increased demand from the ethanol industry. Yet, farmers remain apprehensive about potential losses due to raids by wild herbivores such as wild boars and nilgai (blue bulls). In Gadchiroli, there have even been reports of elephants damaging maize crops."In Vidarbha, intrusion by wild herbivores has always been a challenge. Farmers have suffered heavy losses due to crop raids," said Vijay Nichal, a farmer from Yavatmal."Maize is currently fetching over ₹2,200 per quintal, and its yield is around 25 quintals per acre, compared to an average of 5 to 8 quintals for cotton or soybean. This makes it a profitable crop. However, large parts of the Vidarbha hinterland are infested with wild boars and nilgai," said Panjak Bothra, a farm input dealer in Yavatmal."Killing these animals leads to legal complications, and installing wire fences has failed to resolve the problem," he added.Ganesh Nanote, a farmer from Akola, echoed similar concerns. "Wild boars and nilgai destroy the crops, resulting in losses for farmers. That's why many are hesitant to opt for maize," he said.Meanwhile, the confusion doesn't end there. Vegetables are another viable option, but the lack of local markets makes it difficult for farmers to sell their produce. "Growing jowar is an alternative, but the threat from wildlife is still a major deterrent," said Vijay Jawandhia, a former Shetkari Sanghatana activist."Ultimately, farmers often go back to sowing cotton and soybeans—because wild boars don't feed on these plants," lament another farmer.
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