The Bundelkhand region, encompassing 14 districts equally divided between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, is once again in the news due to severe farmer distress. This time, prolonged and excessive rainfall in June and July has significantly damaged Kharif season crops, including oilseeds like groundnuts and sesame, and pulses such as urad (black gram) and moong (green gram), making initial sowing efforts futile for many.
Given the region's history of extreme stress among farmers, a prompt and comprehensive response from the administration is crucial. This should include substantial aid for affected farmers and community-led initiatives offering counseling and immediate relief to those showing signs of distress.
Gopal Bhai, a highly respected social activist from Chitrakut, highlighted the widespread damage: "Mostly, the harm is to pulse and oilseed crops, but in a few cases, paddy has also suffered. Vegetable crops planted near rivers and streams have sustained extensive harm. If farmers receive timely compensation and government support to prepare for the upcoming Rabi season, we can still salvage the deteriorating conditions."
Arunodaya Sansthaan, a voluntary organization promoting natural farming in Mahoba district and surrounding areas, conducted a rapid preliminary survey revealing the deceptive nature of surface greenery in many villages. Conversations with residents quickly uncover deeply distressing situations. Kapuri Devi, who heads an eight-member single-woman household, had high hopes for her groundnut crop after initial heavy rainfall. However, continuous rain ruined her first planting. Undeterred, she replanted, only for that crop too to be destroyed by further excessive rain, leaving her shattered. Having spent all her savings on these two attempts and lacking other income, she faces an uncertain future. Similarly, Suresh Patel, a small farmer, has lost his highly anticipated black gram and green gram crops. Farmers like Kapuri Devi and Suresh Patel are in urgent need of assistance.
The survey also indicates that the earlier-than-expected start to the June rains filled farmers with enthusiasm, leading them to plant crops with high hopes. Understanding their current distress requires acknowledging this initial optimism, which has now been cruelly dashed.
Rainfall estimates for June and July show higher-than-normal precipitation across most of Bundelkhand, with some areas experiencing excessive levels. These same areas have also reported significant house damage and flooding in villages close to rivers. Vegetable cultivation near rivers, a primary livelihood for some communities, has been severely impacted.
The ongoing crisis is also likely to exacerbate the problem of distress migration from Bundelkhand. Both crop losses for farmers and reduced farm work for landless laborers could lead to an increase in migrant workers. Therefore, the government must also take steps to prevent these workers from falling into exploitative working conditions, including debt bondage, with increased vigilance from labor department officials.
Improving conditions in villages can be achieved by providing additional work under the MG-NREGA rural employment scheme, coupled with prompt wage payments. Delays in wage disbursement or other implementation issues severely hamper the scheme's ability to provide immediate relief. Given the current distress, timely wage payments are critical.
Finally, providing debt relief to farmers and exempting them from loan recoveries during this period of increasing distress is essential. This, along with improved arrangements for better crops in the upcoming Rabi season, will significantly help alleviate the distress and stress faced by Bundelkhand's farming community.
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Saving Earth for Children, Man over Machine, A Day in 2071 and India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food
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