Photo for representation
Pune: Soybean productivity in Pune district has declined by 20-22% during the ongoing kharif season, while maize production has dropped by around 15%, with erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells affecting crop growth across several agricultural pockets in 13 tehsils. Another farmer, Sandeh Jadhav from Junnar, said, “Because of the lack of rainfall, the crops were also affected by several diseases. This has also costed significantly as we did not get yield as well as incurred extra capital on pesticides and fertilisers. Under the scheme, compensation is calculated based on weather parameters such as temperature, wind speed and humidity, recorded through automatic weather stations installed at the revenue circle level. However, hailstorm damage requires separate additional insurance protection through an add-on cover. Farmers must specifically opt for this facility.
Against an expected average moong yield of around 7.5 quintals, the actual productivity recorded through crop-cutting experiments has been lower, as revealed by the district agriculture assessment. Prashant Kute, a soybean grower from Khed, said, “The rainfall has been inconsistent during the critical stage of the crop and therefore we have got almost 50% less yield than last year. The crop insurance and govt aid will help us in overcoming the financial stress so that we can cultivate rabi crops.”
Tur and onion crops are also likely to have suffered losses during the season, the officials said. Irregular rainfall and prolonged dry spells during critical stages of crop growth have affected productivity, leaving farmers with lower output despite expenditure on seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other agricultural operations,” district agriculture officer Vaibhav Tambe said. The impact of the unfavourable weather conditions has extended to several other crops. Moong (green and black gram) and urad have also recorded lower-than-expected productivity. Crop-cutting experiments for paddy are currently under way, and officials anticipate a significant decline in its productivity as well. “The decline in soybean productivity is particularly significant given the crop’s importance to farmers’ seasonal income. Other Kharif crops were also suffered in the similar fashion.