Bathinda, July 15
Malwa, which once accounted for 80 per cent of the state’s total grape production, is now losing its status. Pre-monsoon showers, absence of marketing facilities and the high MSP of other crops, are all factors that have played a role in making farmers uproot the grape vines and go for other crops.
During a visit to some villages in the area, the TNS team today found farmers uprooting the grape vines with spade and other tools. These farmers said they were suffering losses every year.
Sharing their experience, the farmers said that Malwa used to produce 80 per cent of the total grapes in Punjab. But this time, untimely rains and storms resulted in losses for them. Because of the changing climate, 90 per cent of the total standing grapes have become rotten.
Replying to queries, they said that for the past some years, the contract rate of the plain fields had become higher, because due to the losses, no one was willing to take grape vines on a contract basis.
The farmers also blamed the attitude of the government department concerned for the present condition. Atma Singh of village Poohla, who had removed grape vines from his farm last year, rued, “The government never paid attention to the sale of grapes due to which we suffered a lot. This attitude of the government has forced me to convert the grape farms into wheat yielding farms.”
“I had planted and nursed the grape vines in four acres of land, but in the absence of proper marketing facility and its perishable nature, I did not get a good response. It would be better if the government takes interest in its purchase and helps in delivering it to either distilleries or markets markets outside,” said Jeevan Singh of Tungwali village.
Agriculturists and horticulturists say that the hot and dry spell of Malwa region had proved to be beneficial for the grape producers. But untimely rains and storms have turned their dreams sour.
When contacted, director, regional station, Punjab Agriculture University, Bathinda. G.S. Buttar, said, “Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala and Sangrur were the districts of Malwa where around 1000 hectares of the total 1200 hectares of the state’s grape farms exist. But now, the market and weather both have been creating problems for the cultivators resulting in huge losses. As far as the reason for taking up other crops is concerned, factors like the high MSP of other crops like wheat, paddy and cotton can not be ruled out.”
Malwa, which once accounted for 80 per cent of the state’s total grape production, is now losing its status. Pre-monsoon showers, absence of marketing facilities and the high MSP of other crops, are all factors that have played a role in making farmers uproot the grape vines and go for other crops.
During a visit to some villages in the area, the TNS team today found farmers uprooting the grape vines with spade and other tools. These farmers said they were suffering losses every year.
Sharing their experience, the farmers said that Malwa used to produce 80 per cent of the total grapes in Punjab. But this time, untimely rains and storms resulted in losses for them. Because of the changing climate, 90 per cent of the total standing grapes have become rotten.
Replying to queries, they said that for the past some years, the contract rate of the plain fields had become higher, because due to the losses, no one was willing to take grape vines on a contract basis.
The farmers also blamed the attitude of the government department concerned for the present condition. Atma Singh of village Poohla, who had removed grape vines from his farm last year, rued, “The government never paid attention to the sale of grapes due to which we suffered a lot. This attitude of the government has forced me to convert the grape farms into wheat yielding farms.”
“I had planted and nursed the grape vines in four acres of land, but in the absence of proper marketing facility and its perishable nature, I did not get a good response. It would be better if the government takes interest in its purchase and helps in delivering it to either distilleries or markets markets outside,” said Jeevan Singh of Tungwali village.
Agriculturists and horticulturists say that the hot and dry spell of Malwa region had proved to be beneficial for the grape producers. But untimely rains and storms have turned their dreams sour.
When contacted, director, regional station, Punjab Agriculture University, Bathinda. G.S. Buttar, said, “Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala and Sangrur were the districts of Malwa where around 1000 hectares of the total 1200 hectares of the state’s grape farms exist. But now, the market and weather both have been creating problems for the cultivators resulting in huge losses. As far as the reason for taking up other crops is concerned, factors like the high MSP of other crops like wheat, paddy and cotton can not be ruled out.”
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