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Severe drought devastates Yavatmal soybean and cotton crops

Severe drought devastates Yavatmal soybean and cotton crops
Severe drought grips Yavatmal; soybean, cotton crops badly hit · m.rediff.com

Yavatmal is facing a very serious lack of rain.

This has badly damaged soybean and cotton crops.

Farmers say the problem began unusually early, in September.

Many farmers have already lost crops for three years in a row.

Some farm workers and families are leaving for cities to find jobs.

There are also concerns about not having enough water and animal fodder.

Farmers say they spent large amounts of money growing crops but may harvest almost nothing.

They are asking for quick compensation and crop insurance support.

Key facts

Affected area
Yavatmal district, particularly Pusad tehsil
Main crops affected
Soybean and cotton
Reported drought timing
Severe conditions emerged as early as September
Farmers’ requested compensation
Rs 1 lakh per hectare without restrictive conditions
Crop investment cited
Around Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per acre for soybean cultivation
Additional concerns
Water and fodder shortages, unemployment and migration
Insurance demand
Farmers are seeking crop insurance benefits

Quotes

Durgadas Rathod

A farmer describing crop losses and financial hardship

“Soybean and cotton crops have been devastated. Farmers and farm labourers are migrating in search of work, while water and fodder shortages could become the next major crisis. We need immediate relief of Rs 1 lakh per hectare without restrictive conditions, along with crop insurance benefits.”
m.rediff.com
“We spent around Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per acre on soybean, but the crop is so badly damaged that we may not get even a kilogram of produce. How will we run our homes, educate our children and care for our livestock? We need compensation, not assurances.”
m.rediff.com

Sources

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