VALPOI
While a government team is assessing losses to agriculture crops following the floods in Sattari on July 23, the Zonal Agricultural Officer has estimated that the losses could touch Rs 50 lakh in the taluka.
Farmers have faced heavy losses to their crops and claimed their crops have been damaged for the second year in a row, after water from the Mhadei River rose sharply last year and had damaged their crops.
“The survey is underway to assess the damage to crops due to the floods in Sattari and a final figure is expected to be available within the next few days,” said ZAO Vishwanath Gawas.
“So far, we have received about 70 applications from affected farmers. We have appealed to the other farmers to submit their applications within seven days. Farmers have been requested to immediately submit a photo of the damage to their horticulture along with their KCC cards.”
Gawas said several banana plantations had been damaged in Sattari taluka.
Ranjit Rane said his banana plantation had been severely damaged at Sonal-Sattari.
“I had suffered a similar loss last year as well. Banana plantations along the riverbanks have been completely destroyed and this has hit us really hard,” said Rane.
Sources said a large number of banana plantations have been damaged in Savarde-Tar, Kudshe Khadki, Advai and Vante in the taluka.
Some farmers complained that a lot of mud had been deposited in their plantations on account of the floods, making it difficult to work at the plantations.
“It is not possible to work with machinery and manpower is needed to remove mud from the plantations. It is now very difficult to get labourers for this work,” complained a farmer.
Meanwhile, a number of farmers have complained about the meagre compensation provided by the government.
“After we faced similar losses last year, a meagre amount was credited to the accounts of farmers. Last year, I had faced a loss of around Rs 10 lakh but only a small amount was deposited into my account. This compensation is insufficient to start work afresh at our damaged plantations,” said Rane.
“The agriculture department should make arrangements to provide better compensation to farmers this time or else, it will be difficult to motivate people to pursue the farming activity in Sattari,” Rane added.
