Hail, winds flatten orchards on 100 hectares in Pune district

Pune: Another round of worry set in for farmers in Pune district after strong winds, hailstorms and pre-monsoon showers over the past few days caused extensive damage to fruit crops. Their livelihoods ahead of the crucial Kharif season.A preliminary assessment conducted by the district agriculture office said fruit plantations spread over more than 100 hectares in Junnar, Ambegaon, Baramati and Indapur tehsils have suffered significant losses.Banana and pomegranate growers are among the worst affected, with many farmers losing crops that were nearing harvest.District agriculture officer Sanjay Kachole said field teams have completed an initial assessment and indicated that the extent of damage could increase as detailed surveys continue.“Our officials have seen the ground and more losses in these tehsils are possible. It has been a tough time for the farmers due to the intense summer heat, but some growers had managed to save their plantations. However, strong winds and hailstorms ruined their efforts. We will compile the losses and submit a report to the state government so that compensation can be provided at the earliest,” Kachole told TOI.A few hours of extreme weather ruined months of hard work.In parts of Junnar and Ambegaon, strong winds uprooted banana plants and damaged support structures in orchards, while hailstones bruised and destroyed pomegranate fruits that were ready for market.“The crop was just weeks away from harvest. We had invested heavily in irrigation, labour and fertilizers. The hailstorm destroyed a large part of the produce and now we do not know how we will recover the losses,” said pomegranate grower Prakash Jagtap from Junnar.Banana farmer Suresh Pawar from Indapur said the damage would have long-term consequences.“Many plants have fallen due to strong winds. Even those still standing have suffered damage. The income we were expecting this season has vanished overnight,” he said.Farmer organisations have expressed concern that the losses will severely impact growers’ ability to invest in the upcoming Kharif season.Activists pointed out that many farmers are already struggling with rising cultivation costs and fluctuating market prices.“The affected farmers are facing a serious financial crisis. Without immediate compensation, they will find it difficult to purchase seeds, fertilizers and other inputs required for Kharif cultivation. Govt must expedite relief measures and ensure that compensation reaches farmers without delay,” said Shantaram Sarvade, a representative of a farmers’ organisation in Pune district.Farmers said that it has disturbed their cycle badly because their income is directly linked with each crop season.“You need a significant capital to grow any crop in each season. If you face losses like this, growers are pushed back for a few years. Instead of planning, most of them is spent in raising capital, “ Shripad Lonari, another activist from Khed tehsil, said.