Maharashtra jowar sowing faces risk due to drought in Solapur
Agriculture officials warn that Solapur's jowar cultivation area could drop significantly this season due to a lack of soil moisture.
Worsening drought conditions in Maharashtra are threatening rabi sowing in Solapur, the state's largest jowar-growing district, according to a report by Urban Acres. Agriculture officials estimate that the district's jowar cultivation area might fall from its usual 2.75 lakh hectares to under 50,000 hectares this season.
The total area for jowar across Maharashtra could decrease by 40-50 per cent or more from its average of 13.25 lakh hectares if dry conditions persist. Solapur district agriculture officer S Bhosale told the Times of India that several tehsils lack the soil moisture required to recommend sowing.
While the department has encouraged farmers with access to wells and borewells to plant the crop, the response has been poor. An agriculture scientist told the Times of India that dry soil can lead to uneven seed germination and reduced yields, creating a production risk for farmers.
The decline could impact the local economy in Mangalwedha, which is known for the GI-tagged Maldandi jowar variety. A senior district agriculture official described the situation in Solapur as extremely grim.
Maharashtra produced 17.8 lakh tonnes of jowar in 2023-24, which was nearly 37 per cent of India's total output of 47.4 lakh tonnes. Traders have reported that prices for certain varieties have already reached Rs 10,000 per quintal.