Despite the fact that 69 percent of Kharif sowing in Maharashtra has been completed, farmers in many districts in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions will have to go for a second, and in some places a third, round of sowing due to crop damage caused by excessive rains.
According to preliminary estimates, over 8 lakh hectares of standing crop in the two regions have been damaged. The state government is assessing the damage caused by the heavy rains, with a final report expected by the end of the month.
Cotton and soyabean, the two regions' main crops, have taken the brunt of the damage, and in many villages, the second sowing has been a complete waste due to inundation in fields.
Sowing has been completed on 36% of the 36.88 lakh hectares of cotton cultivation during kharif, and 36.3 percent of the 38.14 lakh hectares of kharif soyabean cultivation.
Sowing has been completed on 105.03 lakh hectares of the State's 151.33 lakh hectares of Kharif area (including sugarcane).
According to the State government's sowing report, many areas that have received excessive rain will require a second round of sowing. This monsoon, 21 of the 34 districts in the state have received more than 100% rainfall. The majority of these districts are located in the states of Marathwada and Vidarbha.
Ajit Pawar, the Leader of the Opposition, has demanded that the State government declare a wet drought. He slammed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis for not expanding the Cabinet and appointing district guardian ministers, who are crucial in disasters.
Fadnavis, who recently visited some of the rain-affected areas, has directed that the damage assessment be completed as soon as possible. He also stated that the state government will assist farmers who have lost their crops in any way possible.
