Farmers Face Challenges Amid Harsh Winters in Salumbar

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Published on : 10 Jan, 25 03:01

While central and state governments continue to implement various schemes to promote agriculture, farmers in Salumbar are struggling to protect their crops from wild animals despite the severe cold. Farmers are compelled to sleep in the open fields to safeguard their produce. Wild animals, including nilgai and wild boars, are causing significant damage to the Rabi crops, forcing farmers to take extra measures, such as setting up scarecrows, using sound systems, lighting fires, and staying awake all night to guard their fields.

Farmers report that although fencing initiatives were implemented by the government in some areas, they have not provided complete protection. Wild animals continue to invade fields during the night and early morning, destroying crops such as wheat, mustard, and gram.

Power Outages Add to Farmers' Woes

In addition to the threat of wild animals, irregular power supply has exacerbated the difficulties faced by farmers. Many complain that they receive less than an hour of electricity during the day. Frequent power outages, often every 10 minutes, disrupt their irrigation schedules. Furthermore, the supply of three-phase electricity is mostly restricted to nighttime, compelling farmers to work under hazardous conditions. Despite repeated requests to local officials and representatives for daytime electricity supply, no action has been taken.

Rabi Crop Statistics in Salumbar Panchayat Samitis

The extent of Rabi crop cultivation in the region is as follows:

Salumbar: Wheat - 6,100 ha, Barley - 810 ha, Gram - 930 ha, Mustard - 65 ha, Vegetables - 65 ha, Green Fodder - 450 ha, Others - 6 ha (Total - 8,426 ha)

Jhallara: Wheat - 3,200 ha, Barley - 400 ha, Gram - 1,600 ha, Mustard - 85 ha, Vegetables - 58 ha, Green Fodder - 160 ha, Others - 6 ha (Total - 5,509 ha)

Sarada: Wheat - 3,600 ha, Barley - 450 ha, Gram - 700 ha, Mustard - 130 ha, Vegetables - 60 ha, Green Fodder - 180 ha, Others - 5 ha (Total - 5,115 ha)

Jaisamand: Wheat - 3,400 ha, Barley - 300 ha, Gram - 500 ha, Mustard - 230 ha, Vegetables - 190 ha, Green Fodder - 170 ha, Others - 7 ha (Total - 4,797 ha)

Semari: Wheat - 3,200 ha, Barley - 360 ha, Gram - 500 ha, Mustard - 70 ha, Vegetables - 60 ha, Green Fodder - 180 ha, Others - 3 ha (Total - 4,373 ha)

Lasadiya: Wheat - 2,900 ha, Barley - 300 ha, Gram - 700 ha, Mustard - 60 ha, Vegetables - 62 ha, Green Fodder - 200 ha, Others - 3 ha (Total - 4,225 ha)

District Overview

Across Salumbar district, wheat has been cultivated on 22,400 hectares, barley on 2,610 hectares, gram on 4,930 hectares, mustard on 640 hectares, vegetables on 495 hectares, green fodder on 1,340 hectares, and other crops on 30 hectares, bringing the total cultivation area to 32,445 hectares.

Voices of Farmers and Officials

Pemji Patel, Farmer, Surkhand ka Kheda
"Our livelihood depends on agriculture. For generations, we have farmed, but wild animals like nilgai and wild boars are a constant threat. The government must address these issues promptly, or we will be unable to continue farming in the future."

Bhimji Patel, Farmer
"Farmers are risking their lives in the bitter cold to guard their crops, yet the benefits of government schemes are not fully reaching us. A comprehensive plan must be devised to address farmers' challenges."

Gajendra Kumar Padiya, Agriculture Officer, Sarada
"The Rabi crops in the region are thriving, and farmers are working diligently. With the fencing initiatives and other schemes introduced by the government, farmers should take full advantage to protect their crops."

Gaus Mohammad, Joint Director, Agriculture Department, Salumbar
"Farmers must utilize the government’s fencing schemes to safeguard their crops effectively."

The plight of farmers in Salumbar highlights the need for immediate action to address challenges posed by wild animals and erratic power supply, ensuring better support for the agricultural community.

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