Non-seasonal rain spells in Thar
Dec 3, 2010: Non-seasonal two rain spells during the month of November, in rain fed region of Tharparkar has caused more than fifty per cent loss to the local impoverished growers, of the production from the crops of cluster bean (guar), kidney bean (moath), millet (bajra) and green gram (moong).
Entire Thar received adequate timely rain spells during summer and the sown crops had fully matured, the growers were expecting that good production from these crops would end all their worries, however contrary to it recent non-seasonal rain spells, in November, caused a lot of damage to the standing as well as harvested and stocked crops, particularly in talukas, Mithi, Diplo and Chhachhro.
According to a survey conducted by this scribe, apart from it untimely winter rains not only caused the rotting of previously matured grass, that was expected to last for the whole year, but the said rains badly damaged the harvested and stocked crops of guar and moath (kidney bean) and the same fact has rendered deprived, the growers and herdsmen of getting grain, or dry fodder, for animals from it.
It would be pertinent to mention here that after extracting grain beads from these crops, the dry pods of guar (that is called gwarti in local parlance) and stocked dry leaves of kidney bean (moath), besides stalks of bajra are used as fodder for animals by the Tharis for the whole year, however this year’s winter rains have severely damaged the crops as well as stocked fodder that is not fit, as animals’ fodder. Taking into consideration these aspects it would not be wrong to conclude that it is a huge financial loss for Tharis.
A visit to local market revealed that guar and moath of good quality were purchased at the rate of Rs1400 and Rs2000 per maund, before November rains however untimely rains blackened and damaged these crops, the grain merchants are paying Rs300 to Rs500 less per maund for these commodities to the impoverished growers.
Amolakh Meghwar, a grower form village Lakhmir told Dawn said that as entire Thar was blessed with good rains, during the months of summer, the sown crops had fully matured and he was expecting production of 100 maunds of guar and 50 maunds of bajra from his field, however he has got 50 per cent less production from these crops, besides loss of fodder, owing to November rains, that caused huge financial loss to the peasants.
A money lender, local shopkeeper told Dawn that he was expecting that those Tharis, who had been lent money by him would be able to repay his loans, however as the untimely rains have caused loss of crops to them, they would hardly clear half of taken debts…Ends
Entire Thar received adequate timely rain spells during summer and the sown crops had fully matured, the growers were expecting that good production from these crops would end all their worries, however contrary to it recent non-seasonal rain spells, in November, caused a lot of damage to the standing as well as harvested and stocked crops, particularly in talukas, Mithi, Diplo and Chhachhro.
According to a survey conducted by this scribe, apart from it untimely winter rains not only caused the rotting of previously matured grass, that was expected to last for the whole year, but the said rains badly damaged the harvested and stocked crops of guar and moath (kidney bean) and the same fact has rendered deprived, the growers and herdsmen of getting grain, or dry fodder, for animals from it.
It would be pertinent to mention here that after extracting grain beads from these crops, the dry pods of guar (that is called gwarti in local parlance) and stocked dry leaves of kidney bean (moath), besides stalks of bajra are used as fodder for animals by the Tharis for the whole year, however this year’s winter rains have severely damaged the crops as well as stocked fodder that is not fit, as animals’ fodder. Taking into consideration these aspects it would not be wrong to conclude that it is a huge financial loss for Tharis.
A visit to local market revealed that guar and moath of good quality were purchased at the rate of Rs1400 and Rs2000 per maund, before November rains however untimely rains blackened and damaged these crops, the grain merchants are paying Rs300 to Rs500 less per maund for these commodities to the impoverished growers.
Amolakh Meghwar, a grower form village Lakhmir told Dawn said that as entire Thar was blessed with good rains, during the months of summer, the sown crops had fully matured and he was expecting production of 100 maunds of guar and 50 maunds of bajra from his field, however he has got 50 per cent less production from these crops, besides loss of fodder, owing to November rains, that caused huge financial loss to the peasants.
A money lender, local shopkeeper told Dawn that he was expecting that those Tharis, who had been lent money by him would be able to repay his loans, however as the untimely rains have caused loss of crops to them, they would hardly clear half of taken debts…Ends