Heavy monsoon rains this August have caused extensive damage to vegetable crops in Delhi and guava orchards in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district. Farmers in both regions report severe losses from waterlogging and flooding, with many now calling for relief measures.
In Delhi, repeated rain spells through August left fields in Palla and other North Delhi villages saturated, affecting okra, spinach, cowpeas, and other shallow-rooted vegetables. Farmers reported rotting crops and falling farm-gate prices, in some cases dropping from about US$0.48 (Rs 40) to US$0.18 (Rs 15) per kilogram. With input costs for seed, agro-chemicals, and labour uncovered, growers face losses despite continued demand in city mandis.
Delhi recorded about 323 mm of rainfall in August 2025, compared with 390 mm in August 2024, according to IMD data. Agronomists note that closely spaced, high-intensity showers are particularly damaging, cutting off oxygen to roots and increasing fungal and bacterial diseases. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute has advised measures such as raised beds, rapid drainage, nursery hygiene, and timing sprays around rainfall windows.
Farmers in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, faced similar conditions with guava orchards submerged across more than 14,000 hectares in 22 villages. Local authorities estimate that about 40 per cent of the crop has been destroyed, with orchards over 5,000 hectares still under water. Farmers value losses at around US$480,000 (Rs 3.84 crore).
For many, guava is the primary source of income. Farmer Kamal Meena from Rawal Gram Panchayat said, "Everything is ruined. I had planned to use the income from guava sales for my daughter's wedding, but now there is nothing left. The heavy rains destroyed what little crop had survived earlier floods." Another grower, Rajendra, said, "We expected to earn at least Rs 2.5 lakh (about US$3,000) this year. Now, even if we sell what little is left, we won't recover our costs."
Officials confirm that new guava plantations were the worst affected. Assistant Director of Horticulture, Brijesh Kumar Meena, reported that around 5,000 hectares of young orchards were heavily damaged, with flowering destroyed and winter yields likely to fall by 40 per cent.
While reduced supply may push guava prices higher in the open market, farmers whose orchards were lost will not benefit. Both Delhi vegetable growers and Rajasthan guava farmers say compensation and support for replanting are urgently needed to sustain production in future seasons.
