Unseasonal rain plays spoilsport for farmers

Sudden rain caught Mumbai unawares on Friday night. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

The unseasonal rain that arrived late on Thursday evening across Maharashtra is affecting a number of farmers. They have indicated that this rain will affect the vegetables, fruit supply, and quality of the goods. It will also cause fluctuation in prices.

Speaking with mid-day, Sopan Kanchan, president of the Grape Grover's Association, said, "The unseasonal rain will first affect the planting. The crops will wash out and due to this, the sweetness of the grapes decreases. When the crop is sweet and sour, the merchants buy it at a lesser price. Due to this, farmers will incur huge loss and also buyers will not get good quality grapes in the market. The sweet grapes will be priced much higher."

A Pune-based farmer, Vikas Darekar, said, "In front of nature, everyone is helpless. There will be a big loss this season. Also due to Coronavirus, exports are zero."

Shriram Gadhav of the All India Vegetables Grover's Association said, "The unseasonal rain affects wheat crops too. Even vegetables and fruits like spinach and methi, and tomatoes, or garlic suffer as they develop mildew disease. These crops will not be suitable to eat." Balasaheb Bhilad, president of Stawberry Grover's Association, said, "Twenty days ago, farmers planted strawberry saplings, but this rain has destroyed them all. Whatever strawberry reaches the market, will be priced very high."