2 days ago
May showers damage crops worth 41cr on 15k ha in Pune: Agri dept
Pune: District agriculture officials have said rainfall in the last three weeks of May damaged crops on 15,035 hectares and caused damage worth Rs41.2 crore.
District agriculture officer Sanjay Kachole told TOI, "The total loss as per our assessment is about Rs41.2 crore.
We will table the report to the district administration for statutory sanction before sending it to the state govt.
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Officials said the maximum crop damage was in Junnar, Ambegaon and Khed tehsils, followed by Indapur, Baramati and Daund tehsils. The rainfall intensity in these tehsils was high and continuous, with gusty winds. The weather caused huge damage to the horticulture plantations — including mango — in these tehsils.
It also battered green and leafy vegetables in various villages of the district.
According to the rules, farmers whose loss is over 33% are eligible for compensation from the state govt. "Our assessment said 46,029 farmers across the district suffered losses because of untimely rainfall in May. At some places, the rainfall was recorded over 100mm. It completely destroyed fruit plantations. The wind speed was 40kmph to 60 kmph.
Resultantly, fruit plantations were uprooted in some villages," said a senior official from the department.
Maximum crops of irrigated fields were affected by the rainfall. "Crops on 3,577 hectares were damaged by the rainfall in the last two weeks of May," added the officials.
Meanwhile, farmers and activists have demanded quick disbursement of compensation to tide over financial problems. "It would be a huge relief if farmers receive compensation for their losses in May.
They will be able to use the amount in the current kharif and upcoming rabi seasons," said farmer and activist Shantaram Sarvade of Khed tehsil.
The state govt takes a couple of months to disburse compensation to farmers. "This practice needs to stop because it increases the agony of farmers who have already suffered losses, disturbing their financial planning for the season. It is the state's duty to release compensation on time to support them," said Jitendra Bidwai, an activist from Junnar tehsil.
