Rains affect sesamum, cotton production

Sesamum and cotton cultivation in the Saurashtra region have suffered substantial damage following the heavy rains in the last five days.

Most of the farms recently cultivated with sesamum and cotton remained under water for almost four days in districts such as Amreli, Junagadh, Jamanagar, Surendranagar and Rajkot. Sources said that many farms in Saurashtra remained waterlogged after the rains ceased. On the other hand, the heavy rains in Dharampur, Kaparada, Jagadia and Bharuch in south Gujarat may benefit horticulture cultivation provided the rains stop in a day or so.

Talking to Business Standard, Mansukh Suvagiya, a Rajkot based farmer said, "Sesamum and cotton sowing was completed across the Saurashtra region around June 20. Though water receded in most of the areas, the farms remained waterlogged for almost four to five days. The plants are too small to withstand heavy rains. With many of the farms in Rajkot, Amreli, Jamnagar and Surendranagar districts being waterlogged, it is likely that these crops will suffer a substantial damage. Groundnut cultivation was also completed recently. Though groundnut plants are big enough to withstand water logging for at least three to four days, there could be damage."

"Many farmers of Dhrol in Kalavad taluka of Jamnagar have suffered heavy damages as their farms were washed away. However, the real picture will emerge once the waters recede from these villages," Suvagiya added.

Amreli-based farmer and trader, Vishwas Jani pointed out, "It has stopped raining in Amreli, but farms in many villages are still waterlogged. Sesamum and cotton farms have suffered damage. Many farms cultivated with cotton have been washed away in nearby talukas such as Bagasara, Lathi and Dhari."

However, the government claims that crops have not been affected in these regions. The state minister for agriculture and co-operation said on Wednesday that there is no damage to the crops in Saurashtra. But officials said that it will take some more time to understand the impact of rains on the agricultural sector in Saurashtra.

Avinash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Co-operation Department, Gujarat, while talking to Business Standard said, "We are holding meetings every day to assess the impact of the rains. It might take a few more days to know the damage. But some areas might have suffered damage."

On the other hand, the heavy rains could benefit horticulture plantations provided the water recedes in a day or two. Talking to Business Standard, Jayanti Mori, additional chief program co-ordinator of BAIF, said, "This rain can be helpful to cashew, chiku, papaya and banana plantations, of which around 95 per cent are located in the Bharuch, Dharampur, Kaprada and Jagadia areas. However, if rains continue to batter the region, there are possibilities of damages in horticulture cultivation. We have not received any reports of damage from Bharuch, Dharampur or Kaparada till now."

BAIF is an NGO which has decades-long experience in South Gujarat's horticulture sector and helps farmers by co-ordinating between various co-operatives as well as providing them technical know-how.

The Saurashtra-Bhuj region has also received heavy rains. Heavy spells of rain continue in Rajkot, Surendranagar and Jamnagar districts.

Amreli district has received 10 inches of rain, while Rajkot received 4 inches of rain. Vadhvan in Surendranagar reported 6 inches of rain, Limbadi 17 inches and Lakhatar, 3 inches.

Surendranagar is known for its cotton production.