Pre-monsoon spells bring tears to onion farmers

Nashik: Pre-monsoon showers on Saturday evening caught onion growers unaware, soaking the onion stock that was kept for drying in the sun or was being harvested. The showers could also have adversely adversely impacted grapevines.

The quantum of the damage caused will be available after the revenue staffs in Chandwad, Dindori, Niphad, Nashik and other tehsils of Nashik Road release the panchanama (spot verification report).

Chandwad APMC chairman, Dr Atmaram Kumbharde said the losses incurred were due to an act of nature. “Onion farmers are already reeling due to the glut in production. Onion prices in Chandwad APMC on Friday were minimum Rs 100 per quintal, maximum Rs 550 per quintal and an average Rs 380 per quintal. The markets will reopen on Tuesday.

Rashtriya Ekta, which works for farmers, farm labourers and other sections said that the losses were terrible. District president D. B. Kadri said that onions were still being harvested when it started pouring. “This ‘unhal’ variety onion which lasts for several months will not last for one month due to the rains, which peels off the protective skin. Meanwhile, grape growers were pruning off leaves and stalks of grapevines, a necessary procedure for the new shoots to appear. Grape farmer Mahesh Thube said that nearly all grapes had been harvested.

“Rain and hailstorms struck Shindwad, Khedgaon, Gondegaon, Materewadi, Rajaramnagar and Bopegaon in Dindori tehsil flattening everything. Vines on hundreds of acres have been damaged and we doubt whether they will grow new shoots,” said Mr Thube, who is also a teacher.