Marathwada dry spell: Dharashiv MP seeks crop loss survey and financial aid for affected farmers

Shiv Sena MP Omprakash Rajenimbalkar has urged the Maharashtra government to conduct a survey of crops affected by inadequate rainfall in the Marathwada region and provide financial assistance to eligible farmers who have suffered lossesThe Dharashiv MP wrote to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on August 22 raising concerns over the prolonged dry spell and its impact on crops particularly soybean Rajenimbalkar posted the letter on his social media account on Friday eveningMarathwada has faced a rainfall deficit since the start of the monsoon season with several parts of the region receiving significantly less rainfall than expectedMP raises concerns over 45day dry spellIn his letter Rajenimbalkar said several parts of Marathwada had received little or no rainfall for around 45 days creating serious difficulties for farmers and affecting standing cropsThere has been almost no rainfall in the region of Marathwada for the past 45 days The soybean crop has dried due to lack of water Farmers have faced a financial loss due to this and are in trouble his letter saidSoybean is among the major crops cultivated in the region and prolonged gaps in rainfall during the monsoon season can affect crop growth and reduce yieldsRajenimbalkar said the lack of rain had left farmers facing financial losses and called for an official assessment of the damageDemand for revenue and agriculture department surveysThe MP urged the state government to direct the revenue and agriculture departments to conduct surveys to determine the extent of crop lossesThe situation is serious and surveys should be conducted through the revenue and agriculture departments to ascertain the losses The farmers who have faced losses and are eligible should be given financial assistance the letter addedThe survey if undertaken would help authorities assess the extent of crop damage and determine which farmers qualify for financial assistance under applicable government normsRajenimbalkars demand comes amid concerns over the uneven distribution of monsoon rainfall across parts of MaharashtraMarathwada continues to face rainfall deficitThe Marathwada region has recorded a rainfall deficit since June 1 according to available revenue department dataAcross its eight districts the region has so far received an average of 381 mm of rainfall or about 77 per cent of the expected average of 4988 mmThe deficit has raised concerns about soil moisture and the condition of standing crops in areas that have experienced prolonged breaks in rainfallWhile rainfall levels vary between districts the overall shortfall has affected agricultural activity in several parts of the regionDharashiv records rainfall shortfall of more than 25 per centRajenimbalkars Dharashiv Lok Sabha constituency has also recorded a significant rainfall deficitAccording to a revenue department report the rainfall deficit in the constituency stands at 253 per centDharashiv district has received 3015 mm of rainfall so far compared with the average expected rainfall of 4035 mm during the corresponding periodThe shortfall has added to concerns about the condition of crops particularly in areas where farmers depend largely on monsoon rainfallCall for timely assistance to affected farmersRajenimbalkar has sought timely intervention by the Maharashtra government arguing that an early survey could help identify affected farmers and assess the scale of lossesWith inputs from PTI