Continuous rain over the past few days have caused large-scale damage to crops and vegetables in several districts of West Bengal. Bankura, Purulia and Murshidabad have suffered the most.
Farmers cited waterlogging as the main cause of worry. Total rainfall in all the districts of Bengal has been 55.8 mm till Friday. The state agriculture department has reported that 2.57 hectare was under cultivation this year, of which 57,300 hectare has gone under water due to the rain.
Of this, crops in 44,100 hectare suffered 100 per cent damage. Crops in the remaining area suffered somewhat less than 50 per cent damage. It is estimated that 1.44 lakh metric tonne of crops have been damaged. The total cost of damaged crops is approximately Rs 253. 97 crore.
Low lying areas in Bishnupur subdivision of Bankura have suffered additionally due to release of water in Kangsabati canal. Extensive areas of paddy fields in Purulia district have gone under water. Crops over extensive area were reported damaged.
In Murshidabad, farmers are worried about damage to vegetables. A large variety of vegetables are grown in Beldanga, Nawda, Jalangi, Suti, Lalbagh and others. Waterlogging can rot the stems of vegetables.
Cultivation of rabi crop will also be delayed by seven to 10 days due to the prolonged rainfall, as rabi crops cannot be cultivated in waterlogged conditions.
Maximum damage has perhaps been caused to cabbage, cauliflower and pepper. Additionally, marigold plants in Lalbagh have also been damaged. Many farmers in Mirzapur, Kumarpur, Sujapur, Mahula and other villages in Murshidabad had already sown mustard seeds – that have also been damaged by the untimely rain.
Officials of the state agriculture department said that new mustard seeds have to be sown now. Potato cultivation will also be delayed this year as it cannot survive stagnant water. Pointed gourd (patal or parwal) have also been damaged. Huge losses is predicted for crops and vegetables in Arambagh subdivision of Hooghly district as well. Additionally, tomato, nuts, radish and other vegetables have also suffered a lot of damage in Arambagh.
