While unseasonal rains in April affected lakhs of hectares of to-be harvested crops in most states across the country, farmers in Tamil Nadu actually gained from the untimely rains. Although a few crops of turmeric, banana, and pulses were affected in the state, the non-seasonal weather activity did help the state farmers.
As per Skymet Meteorology Division in India, Tamil Nadu normally receives 86 mm rainfall between March and May 6. But this year, the state has already received 136.5 mm rainfall till May 6 with more than 50 mm rainfall expected in the next 25 days.
Now unlike the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, very little or no damage was experienced by farmers in Tamil Nadu during this period. While untimely rain led to major rabi crop damage in most of the northern states, it is safe to say that Tamil Nadu got away with it. This is mainly due to the fact that harvesting of crops like wheat in North India started in April whereas most of the harvesting in Tamil Nadu was finished by January. But farmers who opted to harvest their crops on a later date did suffer damage.
Moreover, major crops like paddy, sugarcane, turmeric, and other vegetable crops are sown now in Tamil Nadu. Hence, showers over the region proved to be beneficial for water-intensive long-term crops in terms of moisture content in the soil. Also, wet soil helps absorb pesticides and other nutrient boosters like phosphorous and nitrogen in a much better manner. Farmers usually spend on electricity to irrigate fields and tractors have to be used for ploughing the soil which becomes harder without rain. The rain will also prevent trees and paddy stalks from drying up.
Despite all this, the region did experience damage. Around 1000 acres of pulses like black gram and close to 600 acres of toor dal underwent extensive damage due to continuous rain which did not allow the farmers to drain the farms. Also, banana stalks were bent or broken and even cotton and turmeric farms were rendered waterlogged. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has already asked farmers to apply for compensation. But as the damage is not widespread, farmers are skeptical about availing insurance.
(Featured Image Credits: thehindubusinessline.com)
