Gujarat Farmers Face Crisis After Unseasonal Rains
Unseasonal rains in North Gujarat have caused immense distress among farmers, leaving them grappling with waterlogged fields and destroyed crops. Ramsinh Rajput, a farmer from Vav taluka, reports that he lost his entire castor, jowar, and bajra crops due to heavy rainfall. Now, as his 50 bighas of farmland remain submerged, he faces the grim reality of delaying the sowing of Rabi crops.
The situation is dire, with many farmers across the region experiencing the same plight. The farmlands in districts like Vav-Tharad, Banaskantha, Patan, Kutch, and Junagadh are still under water weeks after the rains. Farmers worry that prolonged waterlogging could render their land infertile, threatening their livelihoods.
Farmers like Narsengabhai Patel express frustration over governmental aid, which is limited to 2 hectares of land. They argue that this ceiling should be raised to 5 hectares to provide meaningful assistance. Moreover, the requirement for evidence of damages, such as photographs and videos, seems unnecessary when the flooding is evident. Many farmers feel that their dignity is compromised, as they do not want to beg for support.
In response to the crisis, the Gujarat government announced a relief package of Rs 10,000 crore after identifying that nearly 16,000 villages over 42 lakh hectares were affected. The state plans to purchase paddy, jowar, bajra, corn, and ragi under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme, yet farmers remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures.
As the waters continue to rise, the situation only worsens. Farmers in low-lying areas are facing unprecedented challenges, with many unable to access their fields even with tractors. Waterlogged conditions have affected not just the crops, but also the soil quality, increasing salinity and making it harder for farmers to sow seeds once the water recedes.
The government has also announced extended power supply for cumin sowing, yet farmers question the practicality of this measure when sowing is currently impossible. Overall, the plight of farmers in North Gujarat underscores the urgent need for effective government intervention and support to help them navigate these challenging times.
