NAGPUR: Farmers who bank on the forecasts of rains and go ahead with early sowing say their gamble has failed to pay off this time.
Each year farmers of the region carry out what is called as ‘dhul perni’. This means dry sowing, anticipating that it would rain by the time the seed germinates. The farmers depend on the forecasts to time the early sowing operations.
This time, there were predictions of monsoon reaching by June first week. Farmers who also have access to other sources of information on the internet these days, went ahead with the sowing going by these estimates. As it has not rained yet in large parts, there is a likelihood of losses.
This is a gamble that happens each season but this time it would end up in a loss, say farmers who had taken up early sowing. The idea is to get early harvest and gain market advantage. Each year a section of farmers goes in for early sowing, said sources in the hinterland.
Manish Jhadav, a farmer in Yavatmal, said a long dry spell is now expected to leave such farmers in losses. A number of cotton growers had gone ahead with the dhul perni, said Jhadav.
Veteran farm activist Vijay Jawandhia said farmers also depend on irrigation sources. However, with levels depleting in wells and rains being elusive, it has been difficult for them to sustain the seeds. Jawandhia said a second round of sowing cannot be ruled out.
Nitin Khadse, also a farmer from Yavatmal, said although estimates have come true, lately the predictions have failed. This has raised question on the accuracy of the forecasts.
