An agriculture assistant officer is generally responsible for around 10 villages, making it difficult to physically visit every village and assess individual farms within a short period
The dry spell in parts of the two tehsils has exceeded 50 days, reportedly the longest such gap in around 15 years, according to agriculture officials. Baramati and Indapur have reported some of the most severe crop stress following prolonged gaps in rainfall. Similar conditions have been reported in pockets of Shirur, Daund and Khed. In Bhor and Velhe, where paddy is a major kharif crop, farmers have reported stunted crop growth and disease attacks.
Officials said the panchnamas would provide the govt with village and farm-level data needed to determine the extent of crop damage and process relief under applicable norms. Officials attributed the deterioration to the prolonged rainfall gap and higher daytime temperatures over the past three weeks. Fruit plantations have also come under stress, particularly in Indapur and Purandar. Pomegranate and custard apple growers are struggling to provide irrigation to plantations, while changing weather conditions have added to the stress. Another concern is that the extent of damage could increase if the rainfall situation does not improve. Farmers in the worst-affected areas are also facing rising irrigation costs as they depend increasingly on private water sources and tankers to protect standing crops and orchards.