Gujarat paddy farmers worried over delay in rains

GANDHINAGAR - Paddy farmers in Gujarat state are eagerly waiting for rains as cultivation in the area has taken a backseat on account of poor rainfall.

The farmers of Sanand city are complaining that current year has not seen enough rains to begin their cultivation and if within the next 10 to 15 days there are no rains, about 100,000 acres of land will be destroyed.

The farmers said that the crops have begun to wither, as the region has not received adequate rainfall this year.

“The rains that were to arrive by July 15 have not come and because of that the farmers have not been able to sow their crops,” said Bahadur Majethia, a farmer.

Former officials of the village council said that if the rains were delayed further the village would incur losses of about 2-3 billion rupees.

“Whatever the farmers spent on cultivation and sowing, they earn back their money only after 3-4 months,” said Amarsinh Solanki, former sub-divisional council member.

Solanki also said that there should be at least seven inches of rain for paddy cultivation but the area has received only 1.5 inch so far.

He also said that usually the paddy is cultivated by first week of July and if the crops are sowed later there are chances of insects destroying the crop. (ANI)