Unseasonal rains damage commercial crops in Gujarat

Rajkot (Gujarat), Nov.16 (ANI): Unseasonal rainfall has damaged the commercial crops, especially cotton and groundnuts, in Gujarat's Rajkot city.

Commission Agent of Agriculture Marketing Produce Committee (AMPC) Bhavesh Patel said the sudden rains have destroyed most of the farmers' produce.

"In this winter, the rains have damaged over 30,000 to 35,000 sacks of farmers' produce of groundnuts. The quality got deteriorated, 25,000 to 30,000 sacks of cotton have got wet and will be damaged. And to add to the woes, for the last 3 to 4 day's labourers have gone on strike and that's why the market is closed," said Patel.

The Committee receives about 40,000 bags of groundnuts and over 30,000 tonne of cotton brought from the surrounding regions.

Farmers and traders tried to cover the sacks with plastic sheets but the rains continued to lash the sacks lying in the open spaces.

Director of APMC Pravin Andani said that it hasn't caused much damage as the products can be dried once the sun comes out.

"15000 to 20000 sacks of groundnuts are lying outside. Due to unseasonal rainfall they have got a little wet. If the sacks remain out in the open for 2 to 4 days, no one will buy it for now, that is why the farmer has suffered some loss. But once the sun is out and the items will be dried. They will be able to get back the value of the product," said Andani.

Other districts that have experienced heavy showers are Junagadh, Jamnagar, Amreli and Surendranagar. (ANI)