Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Deficient rainfall in Malwa belt has left farmers distressed, as standing crops reel under drought-like conditions. If rains don’t revive within the next ten days, damage to soybean, maize and moong could be severe.
On the flip side, excess rainfall in Bundelkhand belt is posing an equal threat to crops, including paddy.
Speaking to Free Press, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh State president Kamal Singh Anjana said Malwa farmers are in serious trouble due to poor rainfall. Soybean crops, in particular, are suffering. “Messages are doing rounds on WhatsApp saying people with weak hearts should avoid visiting their fields,” he said.
The situation is grim across Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Khargone, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Shajapur, Rajgarh and nearby areas. Early sown crops have turned dwarf; in many fields, flowering has stopped and wilting is visible.
Likewise, maize and moong have also been adversely affected in the region. Meanwhile, Bundelkhand belt faces the opposite problem — excessive rain has caused waterlogging, damaging even paddy crops.
“Farmers are likely to face a huge crisis this season,” Anjana warned.
Farmers in Bhopal, Rajgarh and Sehore are also worried due to scanty rainfall and prolonged dry spells. Although light showers were reported in many areas on Sunday, they are far from sufficient. The main concern is the long gaps between spells of rain.
Anjana said that rivers and groundwater levels have not recovered, with major rivers like Parvati, Kalisindh and Kshipra still not reaching flood level.
Rain reality check
Soybean, maize, moong crops hit in Malwa due to poor rainfall
Bundelkhand inundated, paddy among crops damaged
Groundwater, river levels low as key rivers yet to swell
Next 10 days crucial as delayed rain could mean heavy losses.
