Nagpur: Bhandara, also known as the rice bowl of Vidarbha, is facing heavy paddy losses after a prolonged dry spell and a pest attack, prompting guardian minister Pankaj Bhoyar to direct officials to speed up the assessment process under Trigger-1.
Last month, there was no rain for almost 20 days on a stretch. Sangita Mane, district superintendent agriculture officer, said rice accounts for more than 90% of the crops grown in Bhandara. “Rice cultivation covers 1.83 lakh hectares across the district.
Because of the El Nino effect, “Rain has been lower than expected this year.
But as the rain turned its back when it was needed most, they are worried about not getting the expected yield,” Bhoyar said. This has created a big crisis for farmers,” Bhoyar said. We are conducting a crop damage assessment on war footing, and the report will be submitted to the authorities soon,” said Mane. “I have instructed the administration that they must go to every field, conduct surveys in all areas, and send the ground report to state govt so that we can help the farmers of this region,” he said. Meanwhile, Sakoli MLA and former state Congress president Nana Patole said govt is ignoring farmers’ need for instant relief. Just pay the farmers if you really care for them,” said Patole.
“Farmers have raised crops by spending heavily on sowing, fertiliser, seeds and tilling. The minister visited farms at Palora, Dewala and Sukali in Tumsar and at Salai Khurd, Dhop, Khairlanji and Kandri in Mohadi, and spoke to farmers about the losses. With farmers demanding immediate relief, Bhoyar assured that authorities are working as fast as possible. “Why do you need to wait when the crop damage is visible to all?