Tue Dec 2,
Cotton Farming: Cotton crop is facing a downturn due to low prices, problems with caterpillars and insect infestation. Meanwhile, cotton picking wages have increased in the country, and farmers are facing financial difficulties.
Jalgaon News: Cotton crop is facing a shortage due to low prices, problems of caterpillar and insect infestation. In such a situation, the wages of cotton picking have increased in Khandesh, and farmers are facing financial difficulties. Due to the increase in labor costs, the profits of agriculture are also decreasing.
Cotton is the main crop in Khandesh. However, this year the prices are not as desired. But farmers are in trouble as this crop is causing losses. In October, the rate of cotton harvesting was Rs 6 per kg. In November, the rate increased to Rs 8 to 9 per kg. This month, the rate has increased to Rs 12, 13, 15 to 18 per kg. Many laborers refuse to harvest cotton by the kilo.
The wage is being demanded on a daily basis. Therefore, a daily wage of Rs 180 to 200 has to be paid for work between 8 am and 2:30 pm. Currently, a laborer is not even harvesting 8 to 10 kg of cotton. Due to this, the production cost of the crop is constantly increasing. But if harvesting is not done for more days, rats and moths damage the cotton . Also, its quality deteriorates. Due to this, farmers are doing this work with the help of their families.
Dryland cotton was cultivated on about seven lakh hectares in Khandesh. The crop condition was critical due to low rainfall in Chalisgaon, Pachora, Parola, Bhadgaon, Bodwad, Jamner, Jalgaon, Amalner in Jalgaon, Shirpur, Shindkheda, Dhule and Sakri in Dhule and Nandurbar, Navapur, Shahada, Akkalkuwa areas in Nandurbar. The crop was stunted in light, loamy soil.
In this, some farmers paid for water from nearby farmers or other areas in October. They irrigated the crop and brought it to life. Its condition improved. After that, the harvesting work of the dry-crop started. The harvesting work was stopped during Diwali. Even after that, there was a shortage of labor. While the harvesting was going on quite well this month, the wage rates have continuously increased.
The problem of buds not blooming properly
Due to the intrusion of pink bollworm in the crop, the bolls are not blooming properly. While harvesting them, the laborers refuse and demand higher wages. In the dryland areas, the production of even 80 kg to one quintal per acre is not available. Farmers say that due to inflation and low prices, cotton cultivation is not affordable.
Farmers who have artificial water reservoirs have removed the cotton crop by harvesting it. But those who do not have water have their cotton crop standing in the fields. It is a situation where no product will be available in it. But the issue is also being raised that farmers cannot harvest the crop as there is no other option.
“The wages of cotton picking are increasing. It has now become unaffordable, and 30 percent
of the investment in agriculture has to be spent on labor costs. 80 percent of the funds
are being spent on fertilizers, seeds, intercropping costs and labor costs. Farmers do not even have 20 percent of the money left in their hands.”
Ramesh Patil, Farmer, Shahada, Dist. Nandurbar