Drought, water scarcity, climate variability, and economic pressures are compelling farmers in Maharashtra's orange belt to remove their orchards, as reported by the Maharashtra Orange Growers' Association. The association's president, Dhananjay M. Totey, highlighted the challenges faced by orange cultivators in regions such as Chandur Railway, Dhamangaon, Nandgaon Khandeshwar, and Akot in Amravati and Akola districts.
Insufficient daytime electricity for irrigation and drying wells exacerbate the situation. Additionally, an increased import duty by Bangladesh on Indian oranges has led to financial losses for traders, rendering the crop financially unviable for many growers.
Ashish Konde, a local farmer, shared his experience of having to uproot a significant portion of his orchard due to the acute water shortage. The necessity for extensive water during the crucial March to May period for orange cultivation, coupled with the adverse effects of climate change, including pest and disease increase, has severely impacted the viability of maintaining full orchards. Milind Nikam and other farmers echoed similar sentiments, citing erratic weather patterns and the heightened susceptibility of orange crops to such fluctuations as key factors in their decision to reduce the size of their orchards. The situation is further complicated by the economic implications of Bangladesh's increased import duties, affecting Maharashtra's orange export market.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com