Latest news with #ShetkariSanghatana
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Farmers ready to repay only capital amount of loan taken from Nashik District Central Cooperative bank
Nashik: Members of the Shetkari Sanghatana's Nashik district unit met with the officials of the Nashik District Central Cooperative Bank to reiterate their demand that farmers who are defaulters should be allowed to refund the capital in instalments without any interest. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to Bhagwan Borade, the state coordinator for Shetkari Sanghatana, an agitation has been ongoing since June 1, 2023, in front of the Nashik Civil Hospital. The farmers are demanding that interest be completely waived on their loans. Borade, highlighting discrepancies in the bank's accounting, said, "Farmers who took a loan of Rs 2 lakh have already repaid more than Rs 4 lakh, and still the outstanding with them is about Rs 5 lakh. A farmer took a loan of Rs 7 lakh for a tractor, repaid Rs 16 lakh, and the outstanding shown is Rs 42 lakh. What kind of banking is done by the NDCC?" Borade further criticised the bank's reluctance to reduce interest rates despite farmers' willingness to repay after concessions. "When farmers were ready to repay the loan after a concession in interest, the bank was not ready to cut the interest. Now that the farmers are asking the bank to waive off the interest, the bank is coming up with lower interest rates," he said. The farmers have faced significant hardships, including the auctioning of their land. Borade said, "We have suffered immensely. The land of the defaulting farmers is being auctioned, and they are left with nothing. We, therefore, met Vidyadhar Anaskar, who is the chairman of the administrative board of Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, which has been announced as the institutional advisor to the NDCC, and requested him to go through our proposal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now " In response, the NDCC Bank announced a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme in its recent general body meeting. The scheme will charge 2% interest on loans of up to Rs 1 lakh, 4% on loans from Rs 1 to Rs 4 lakh, 5% for loans up to Rs 10 lakh, and 6% for loans beyond those amounts. Currently, the NDCC Bank has an outstanding of Rs 983.3 crore in capital and Rs 1,299.8 crore in interest from 56,040 defaulters, totalling Rs 2,283 crore. The farmers have proposed that since the bank has agreed to bear the loss of Rs 620 crore, the remaining interest of Rs 679 crore should be subsidised by state govt. This subsidy would enable farmers to repay the outstanding capital in 10 equated monthly instalments. Borade warned, "We are ready, and we need immediate results. If govt delays in taking a decision, we will be intensifying our agitation from Aug 15, and then our demands will change. "
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From peel to profit: How Nagpur can juice a fortune from its oranges
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in Rise 1. Microfinance as key engine of financial inclusion: How it can be made a strong pillar of Viksit Bharat Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India is a major producer of citrus fruits, with oranges being a key crop. The Vidarbha region, particularly Nagpur , is famous for its high-quality oranges, which are known for their rich flavour and high juice content. These qualities of Nagpur oranges make them highly sought after and contribute significantly to India's citrus fruit and industry stakeholders, however, assert that the orange industry must adapt to survive and grow, considering the challenges posed by climate change, which affects yield, quality, and sustainability, as well as geopolitical issues that influence trade, market access, and is a need to highlight the unique characteristics of Nagpur oranges, improve storage, transportation, and logistics infrastructure, and ensure accessible financing for farmers and MSMEs, they to them, value addition through processing can help the orange industry overcome its challenges. By producing items like orange juice, squash, and marmalade, the industry can ensure year-round market availability, extend shelf life, and reduce wastage. Moreover, processing can create new income opportunities for farmers and MSMEs, leading to a more resilient, diversified, and profitable orange economy, they the uninitiated, the Nagpur orange is a variety of mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) cultivated in and around the city. These oranges bloom during the monsoon season and are harvested in two distinct cycles each year. The first crop, known as Ambiya, is available from September through December and characterised by its slightly tangy taste. The Mrig crop, harvested in January, follows this and is comparatively sweeter. Typically, farmers choose one of the two varieties for cultivation, considering climatic and market is the fifth-largest producer of citrus fruits globally, with an annual output of more than 6 million tonnes (MT). This total includes a range of citrus varieties, including lemons, sweet limes, and oranges. Nagpur oranges account for nearly 40% of the country's total citrus Ghanwat, President of Shetkari Sanghatana, a Maharashtra-based farmers' union, highlights several pressing challenges facing orange cultivation in the region. 'Unfavourable climatic conditions have adversely impacted yields, and the area under orange cultivation has steadily declined,' he explains. 'Additionally, Indian orange varieties, which are more citrussy in nature, face limited demand in global markets that prefer sweeter fruits. Bangladesh, once a key importer, has also increased import duties, further compounding the difficulties. Given these factors, orange farmers are increasingly discontent with the current state of the industry.'Ghanwat adds that value addition in any agricultural produce can significantly boost returns, often exceeding those from raw produce alone. 'If more processing units are established on the ground, it will directly benefit farmers by increasing demand for fruit and thereby improving price realisation,' he emphasises the necessity for increased investment in cold storage to reduce post-harvest losses and preserve freshness, as well as processing to produce value-added products. Additionally, he highlights the importance of exploring new markets and supply chains to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and expedite the delivery of produce to Akhil Junghare, Director of Nagpur-based Green Valley Agroproducts, stresses the importance of value addition in sustaining the orange business. 'As long as there is value addition, the orange industry remains viable. Without it, the sector faces serious challenges.'He also points out financial constraints, noting that high bank interest rates, around 12%, combined with uncertain returns, make it difficult for entrepreneurs to invest in essential infrastructure like cold storage and processing units. 'Unless you have your own production base, it becomes difficult to operate in this space.''But beyond that, product quality and shelf life are critical for successful marketing. To truly promote MSMEs in the agri sector, accessible banking support is essential. Unfortunately, high interest rates are a major hurdle. Agriculture is inherently risky, being so dependent on nature, and although the government has introduced several schemes, more targeted support is needed.'Junghare further adds, 'Nagpur oranges have significant potential, but there's a need for deeper market penetration across the country. Building strong retail partnerships nationwide could unlock major opportunities and improve reach for this iconic product.'Nagpur, the 'Orange City,' is a hub for orange cultivation and trade, with the Nagpur Orange holding GI status for its unique characteristics. The industry supports a robust ecosystem of MSMEs involved in cultivation and harvesting, juice processing and packaging, and distribution and retail marketing. As per the government data, the number of Udyam-registered MSMEs in Nagpur district is 268,599, with 264,548 micro, 3,708 small, and 343 medium-sized the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur, are supporting the orange industry. APEDA is promoting Nagpur as an orange export cluster, and ICAR-CCRI provides planting materials and technical assistance to orange growers, enhancing productivity and quality. Similarly, MIHAN SEZ in Nagpur is contributing to the region's orange industry. Although MIHAN is an industrial park focused on aviation, manufacturing, and IT, its proximity to orange-growing areas is benefiting the local orange in July, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that Vidarbha is poised to build a Rs 10,000-crore orange economy over the next decade. Speaking at the inauguration of a secretariat building in Nagpur, he focused on the region's vast potential for growth in the orange industry. While stakeholders agree that the possibilities are immense, they stress the need for greater on-the-ground investment and a stronger focus on value addition to fully realise this point out that opportunities for MSMEs in the region extend well beyond orange cultivation, particularly in the areas of processing and value addition. For instance, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) lists 'Dried Nagpur Oranges' as a product, indicating demand for processed orange goods that MSMEs could tap into. Another notable example is the popular 'Nagpur Orange Barfi,' a unique value-added product that showcases the region's culinary innovation. MSMEs are believed to play a key role in its production and marketing, highlighting the sector's potential to diversify income streams and drive local entrepreneurship.A senior official from the agriculture department acknowledges that, despite abundant orange production, the sector continues to grapple with recurring challenges, including market gluts during peak harvest season, low price realisations for farmers, and significant post-harvest losses. According to the official, value addition through processing presents a practical and sustainable solution. By converting fresh produce into products such as orange juice, squash, marmalade, and other processed items, it is possible to extend the shelf life, ensure year-round market availability, and diversify revenue streams. This approach not only mitigates wastage but also enhances income opportunities for both farmers and local processors, ultimately strengthening the orange value chain and boosting the regional agri-economy, he notes.A state government official says that India is seeking to diversify its export markets for oranges. Currently, oranges from regions like Nagpur are exported to countries, such as Dubai and Oman, through well-established shipping and logistical channels. However, successful expansion into global markets hinges on critical steps, including thorough market research, regulatory compliance, accurate documentation, and effective buyer identification. Strengthening these areas is essential to enhance India's competitiveness in the international citrus trade. 'We are looking at further diversification of the export market.'He adds that the region already has facilities engaged in producing concentrates and other value-added orange products. 'Earlier, smaller oranges were often underutilised or wasted. Now, they are being effectively diverted toward value-added processing, which not only reduces waste but also enhances overall returns for producers.' He adds that the APEDA has invested in setting up perishable cargo centres and integrated post-harvest handling facilities across India. These initiatives are particularly beneficial for enhancing the production, processing, and export potential of oranges from states like Maharashtra, the official notes.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sula Vineyards charts path to 100% sustainable winemaking amid climate pressures
Climate change is affecting nearly every region in the world. Nashik, known as the wine capital of India, is also feeling the heat. In the last 15 years, almost 50 seasons have been affected by climate change, according to Anil Ghanwat , President, Shetkari Sanghatana, a Maharashtra-based farmers' union. 'Sometimes there are heavy rains, sometimes there is a drought, sometimes the temperature drops below zero degrees in some areas,' he said. Excessive heat is resulting in overripe grapes and unbalanced wines, while increased temperature raises the risk of fungal diseases in grapevines. 'This calls for active efforts needed to be taken by farmers,' he emphasised. Sula Vineyards , a major winery in Nashik, is working on mitigating the impacts of climate change on its grape farms. Given the frequent droughts and water scarcity in the region, CEO Rajeev Samant said that they are focusing on water management. Sula has employed advanced water recycling, considering India's monsoon-dependent climate, and it aims to reduce water usage per bottle produced. Not just water management, Sula is also working on energy conservation. 'The methane that is captured during the treatment of wastewater is transformed into clean electricity. This reduces the reliance on natural resources that are subject to fluctuations and enhances the climate resilience of the operation as a whole,' Samant said. Sula works with over 2,800 acres of contracted vineyards and has processed more than 11,000 tonnes of grapes in FY25. According to the company, it is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The company is a member of the International Wineries for Climate Action and also part of the United Nations-led 'Race to Zero' global campaign. Live Events Samant claimed that Sula Vineyards has incorporated sustainability into every aspect of winemaking. Samant claimed that Sula Vineyards has incorporated sustainability into every aspect of winemaking. In FY25, Sula relied on solar power for 65% of its energy needs; this number, as per Samant, is likely to increase to 75% in FY26. Power-saving initiatives, such as the Burkert temperature control system, have already resulted in a saving of 37% of power in the cellar, and further growth is anticipated, he said. According to him, Sula consumed 5% less water per case in FY25. The company aims to bring it down by 6% in FY26, as it looks to utilise 20% recycled water, he said. 'We have also installed a methane capture facility that generated 35,000 power units in FY25 and aims to increase by 44% in FY26. We also have a localised glass bottle supply chain, which reduces its carbon footprint and supports local economies. The company increased its use of rewash bottles by 24% in FY25 and aims to do so to an even greater extent,' he said. Low-alcohol wines The wine manufacturer has also dabbled in low-alcohol wines, which offer a sustainable and healthier alternative to health-conscious consumers and have considerably less environmental impact. Sula's Source Moscato and Chenin Blanc Reserve are known for lighter, refreshing profiles. 'There is a shift towards light, approachable wines that seem to be gaining traction. Moving towards lower-alcohol wines can be good for consumers, especially from a health and wellness standpoint, as well as from an environmental sustainability perspective. These wines need fewer resources to be put into fermentation and greatly more freedom regarding harvesting and ripening of the grapes,' he said. Sula has also dabbled in low-alcohol wines, which offer a sustainable and healthier alternative to health-conscious consumers and have considerably less environmental impact. However, he highlighted the challenges of sustaining these green efforts due to the high upfront costs of technologies like solar panels, methane capture systems, and EV fleet conversion. 'Scaling these efforts while maintaining cost-efficiency and consistent product quality can also be complex,' he said. 'Moreover, as climate change intensifies, managing grape quality and yield sustainably remains a long-term challenge,' he added. Nevertheless, Sula maintains an optimistic outlook for the future. In FY26 and the following years, the company aims to reduce power consumption per case sold by an additional 11%, increase its EV fleet share from 45% to 55%, achieve a 6% reduction in water usage per case while enhancing water recycling to 20%, and realise a 44% increase in electricity generation from methane capture. 'These actions will aid Sula in becoming a pioneer in sustainable innovation while also assisting in meeting the set target of achieving carbon net-zero by 2050,' he said.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
An import duty hike promised to support Indian farmers. Instead, prices crashed
For many years, Anand Kumar Baghel, a 54-year-old farmer from Hatod Tehsil in Indore,has been growing maize and pulses on his 1.5 acres of land. However, the potential for higher profits enticed him to switch to soybean farming last year. Now he wishes he hadn't made that choice. He sold his 10 quintals of soybean harvest in two quality-based batches at Indore's Lakshmi Bai Nagar APMC ( mandi ) in the open market to traders, earning Rs 2,500 per quintal for one batch and Rs 1,900 for the other—much lower than the minimum support price ( MSP ) of 4,892 per quintal. Soybean farmers in Madhya Pradesh are facing challenges due to erratic monsoon patterns, which have significantly impacted the region's soybean cultivation, a major source of income for many farmers. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the two largest soybean-producing states in the country, contributing 54% and 30%, respectively, to India's total production. Adding to the woes, 'rising input costs have severely impacted our profitability,' says Baghel. 'With seed, fertiliser, and labour prices doubling, farmers are struggling, as their returns have remained stagnant—unchanged for over a decade,' he says. 'If farmers don't get fair prices for their produce, they will be discouraged from sowing the same crop in the future. This season, soybean prices fell Rs 500-1,000 short of the MSP, highlighting the challenges farmers face, says Anil Ghanwat, President, Shetkari Sanghatana, a Maharashtra-based farmers' union. He claims that farmers sell their produce in the open market throughout the year, often at unfavourable prices. ET Online This isn't a challenge exclusive to soybeans; it exists in other edible oil crops, such as groundnut and mustard, too. To help local farmers secure better prices for their kharif oilseeds, the government hiked the duty on vegetable oil imports in September 2024; the basic customs duty on crude palm, soybean and sunflower oils was raised from 5.5% to 27.5%, while the duty on refined grades was set at 35.75%, thereby making imports more expensive. Live Events However, the increase in import duty did not yield the desired outcome. The prices stayed not only below the MSP but also lower than the levels seen during the period of duty-free imports, suggesting that the duty hike has not reversed the downward price trend. For example, soybean prices dropped from Rs 4,184 per quintal in October 2024 to Rs 3,962-4,080 in the first week of April 2025 in Madhya Pradesh and from Rs 4,145 to Rs 3,944 during the same period in Maharashtra, against an MSP of Rs 4,892. For groundnut, prices remained in the range of Rs 5,975 and Rs 6,080 per quintal, below the MSP of Rs 6,783. 'For soybean, the mandi prices in Madhya Pradesh mostly operated 15-17% below MSP during the harvest time (November-December 2024) despite the government procurement. The all-India average groundnut price stood also much below MSP during harvest,' says S.P. Kamrah, Secretary General of the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA). Industry stakeholders and experts attribute this to various factors, including global market influences, crushing margin challenges and trade loopholes. They believe that a more pragmatic approach is required to address these issues. Crushed at the root India's per capita consumption of edible oil has increased sharply over the past decades, reaching 19.7 kg per year, according to a report by NITI Aayog last August. The increase in demand has significantly surpassed domestic production, resulting in a heavy dependence on imports to meet both domestic and industrial requirements. In FY24, India produced a total of 39.7 million tonnes (MT) of oilseeds, compared to 41.4 MT in FY23, 38 MT in FY22, 35.9 MT in FY21 and 33.2 MT in FY20, according to the data by the Directorate of Oilseeds Development. iStock For soybean, the mandi prices in Madhya Pradesh mostly operated 15-17% below MSP during the harvest time (November-December 2024) despite the government procurement. Despite the government's several initiatives to achieve self-sufficiency, production has not grown at the same pace as consumption. India's still 15-16 million tonnes annually, spending billions of dollars to meet domestic demand. India is a major importer of edible oils, relying on imports to meet around 60% of its total needs. Palm oil accounts for a significant portion of these imports, nearly 60%, followed by soft oils like soybean and sunflower. 'India's edible oil consumption is 26 million tonnes per year, while domestic production meets only 16 million tonnes. Increasing import duty on vegetable oil could help in supporting local farmers,' says Pasha Patel, Chairman, Maharashtra State Agricultural Price Commission. 'While the government increased the import duty by 20% in September, we had requested a 35% increase. An increased duty might have pushed oilseed prices above the MSP,' Patel adds. Despite India's heavy reliance on imports, farmers like Baghel are struggling to get fair prices for their produce. Some are even having difficulty finding buyers, forcing them to hold onto it for more days. This delay could potentially impact the quality of oilseeds, making it even more challenging for them to sell. Experts could not provide the total volume figure or percentage range of edible oil crops currently held by farmers, processors and traders; however, they believe it is substantial, which has crushed their hopes for better returns. Oil, toil and trouble For the uninitiated, oilseeds consist of two main components: oil and meal. The ratio of oil to meal differs by type; for instance, soybeans contain 18% oil and 82% meal, while mustard and sunflower have 40% oil and 60% meal. After harvest, farmers sell oilseeds to traders and processors. Millers or processors crush the oilseeds and subsequently sell the oil and meal separately. Margins vary based on the crop and its quality. For instance, soybean meal (SBM) generates most of the revenue for soybean processors, accounting for over 80% of the raw material's value. However, the domestic demand for soybean meal has decreased over the past two years, primarily due to the heavy availability of rice and maize Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a by-product of ethanol production. According to experts, the poultry sector, the major buyer of SBM, is shifting towards DDGS, a cheaper alternative to SBM. This has reduced demand for soybean meals, which led to reduced crushing, resulting in decreased buying and subsequently lower soybean prices. Rahul Chauhan, Director, IGrain India, says, 'Due to the high usage of DDGS, the overall demand of oilmeals within India reduced drastically. This decrease in prices has reduced the profitability of crushers,' says Chauhan. 'The situation is further exacerbated by the overall high availability of SBM in global markets at lower prices versus Indian SBM, leading to lower exports of Indian SBM, Kamrah explains. Higher import duties may not benefit domestic oilseed farmers if crushing economics aren't favourable, according to experts. They say idle mills resulting from unprofitable meal exports will restrict farmgate demand, thereby making crushing economics more crucial than import volumes. The negative crushing margins are attributed to weak global meal prices, which are a result of South America's oversupply and capped oil premiums due to competitive imports. Kamrah states that weak global meal prices have pushed margins into negative territory. So, even after the government hiked import duties, many crushers have reduced processing volumes due to losses, leading to limited demand for domestic oilseeds, leaving farmers like Baghel in the lurch. The profitability of the mills hinges on the difference between revenues generated from edible oil and oil meal sales and the input costs. iStock The negative crushing margins are attributed to weak global meal prices, which are a result of South America's oversupply and capped oil premiums due to competitive imports. Additionally, excessive imports of palm oil, often blended with other oils, put local farmers at a disadvantage due to unfair competition, resulting in low prices for their produce, says Shetkari Sanghatana's Ghanwat. Blending palm oil with other oils, typically in the 30% to 40% range, is a common practice to achieve desired food properties. This blending ratio is often used to balance the characteristics of the final product. He suggests that regulating imports and enforcing stringent blending limits could benefit farmers as well as consumers. Trade loopholes While the profitability of mills and global demand dynamics are important aspects of this discussion, it is essential to consider trade loopholes. According to agriculture economist Deepak Pareek, imported edible oils are being rerouted through countries like Nepal, using bilateral trade agreements to bypass duties. He says, 'This duty avoidance dilutes the effectiveness of the tariff increase.' Kamrah notes that the Indian duty hike has triggered zero import duties under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA). Trade expects about 1 million tonnes of zero-duty imports from SAFTA countries, especially from Nepal. 'While this is bad for the domestic industry, it also dampened domestic sentiment, and hence, oilseed prices also came under pressure,' adds Kamrah. All this emphasises the pressing need to tackle production and supply chain issues. On February 10, 2025, the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting concerns over duty-free imports under SAFTA, which they said were causing a 'massive influx' of refined soybean and palm oils from Nepal and other South Asian countries. Under SAFTA, Nepalese refiners have been exploiting a duty advantage by importing crude oil and exporting refined oil to India at discounted prices, taking advantage of the trade agreement's preferential tariffs, SEA says. Between October 15, 2024, and January 15, 2025, Nepal imported 194,974 tonnes of edible oil, mainly crude soybean and sunflower oil, and exported 107,425 tonnes to India, according to the trade data. Nepal's import volume exceeded its monthly requirement of 35,000 tonnes, indicating significant refining and re-export activity. Notably, Nepal's exports of soybean oil to India have surged, despite the country producing little soybean oil itself. Global tariff war: Pain ahead The reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, which are set to expire on July 9, have resulted in increased volatility in vegetable oil prices. According to trade data, the tariff announcements have led to a 7-8% drop in crude oil benchmarks, impacting related vegetable oil contracts. Additionally, China's recent announcement of a further 10% tariff on US soybeans has significantly reduced US exports. Experts say that this move has led to a decline in global edible oil prices, with US soybean oil futures dropping over 2% and palm oil and sunflower oil prices falling 3-4% in early April 2025. They anticipate a period of softer global edible oil prices, which could limit price gains for oilseed farmers in India. iStock For the duty hike to result in sustained price increases in domestic prices that benefit farmers, concurrent support is necessary to improve yields, processing efficiencies, and overall value chain integration. 'These tariffs create a shift in trade flows, with countries looking for alternative suppliers, which may impact the availability and pricing of these oils globally. As a result, India could face higher prices for palm, sunflower, and soybean oils, which are key imports. In response, India should focus on enhancing domestic production through targeted policies, such as those included in the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds,' says Nilachal Mishra, Partner and Head of Government & Public Services at KPMG India. The Path Forward The current oilseed situation in India poses a multifaceted challenge. 'Firstly, there is no quick fix. Reducing import dependency requires a calibrated, multi-year strategy that balances farmer incentives, consumer affordability and market stability,' says Kamrah. He suggests adopting a dynamic duty slab system wherein duties on crude and refined edible oils would automatically adjust within pre-defined bands tied to global price benchmarks. Secondly, he requests maintaining a duty gap of 15-20% compared to the current 7.5% to incentivise domestic refining and value addition. Kamrah also urges the implementation of rules that allow duties to adjust monthly based on a rolling average of global prices. This approach, he says, will minimise policy lag, ensuring protection for farmers without causing abrupt shocks for consumers. According to experts and stakeholders, India should also prioritise strengthening its oilseed value chains, boosting productivity, and making the MSP system more functional and profitable for farmers. They highlight the high-cost structure of domestic oilseeds, which makes them uncompetitive with imports, especially during global price fluctuations. Additionally, supply chain issues like low productivity and inadequate processing infrastructure prevent domestic oilseeds from fully benefiting from import duty increases, they add. For the duty hike to result in sustained price increases in domestic prices that benefit farmers, concurrent support is necessary to improve yields, processing efficiencies, and overall value chain integration. 'Such structural improvements, along with tariffs, can significantly boost domestic prices in the short term,' says Mishra. According to Pareek, India should provide farmers with high-yielding, disease-resistant seed varieties to boost productivity. Currently, India ranks fourth globally in soybean acreage but fifth in productivity. He also emphasises the need to strengthen government procurement at the MSP level by ensuring timely purchases and payments. While some states procure soybeans through price stabilisation schemes, improvements are needed in coverage, timing, and execution. 'Increase buffer stocks or subsidise processors to buy at MSP when market prices fall, stabilising farmer incomes,' says Pareek.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Vidarbha Farmers' Crop Choice Dilemma
Nagpur: Cotton and soybean growers in Vidarbha are facing a dilemma ahead of the upcoming sowing season. After receiving poor returns from traditional crops like cotton, soybean, and tur, many farmers found a better alternative in maize. However, the threat of crop raids by wild animals continues to be a major year, farmers failed to secure good prices for traditional crops. Cotton rates hovered around the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹7,500 per quintal, while soybean prices stayed near ₹4,000 per quintal until the government began procurement at the MSP. The open market prices for tur remained subdued at around ₹7,000 per financial losses have compelled farmers to explore alternative crops. Maize, being a sturdy and high-yield crop, emerged as a profitable option, especially due to increased demand from the ethanol industry. Yet, farmers remain apprehensive about potential losses due to raids by wild herbivores such as wild boars and nilgai (blue bulls). In Gadchiroli, there have even been reports of elephants damaging maize crops."In Vidarbha, intrusion by wild herbivores has always been a challenge. Farmers have suffered heavy losses due to crop raids," said Vijay Nichal, a farmer from Yavatmal."Maize is currently fetching over ₹2,200 per quintal, and its yield is around 25 quintals per acre, compared to an average of 5 to 8 quintals for cotton or soybean. This makes it a profitable crop. However, large parts of the Vidarbha hinterland are infested with wild boars and nilgai," said Panjak Bothra, a farm input dealer in Yavatmal."Killing these animals leads to legal complications, and installing wire fences has failed to resolve the problem," he Nanote, a farmer from Akola, echoed similar concerns. "Wild boars and nilgai destroy the crops, resulting in losses for farmers. That's why many are hesitant to opt for maize," he the confusion doesn't end there. Vegetables are another viable option, but the lack of local markets makes it difficult for farmers to sell their produce. "Growing jowar is an alternative, but the threat from wildlife is still a major deterrent," said Vijay Jawandhia, a former Shetkari Sanghatana activist."Ultimately, farmers often go back to sowing cotton and soybeans—because wild boars don't feed on these plants," lament another farmer. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
