Malshiras: The absence of heavy rains during Dussehra and Diwali has dashed the hopes of farmers. As a result, most onion growers in the eastern part of Purandar taluka have stopped planting, while in some places, the plants are on the verge of wastage due to lack of water.

All parts of the taluka received very little rainfall in the two months of September and October. Farmers somehow ended the kharif season with little rain in July and August.

However, due to lack of rain in the last two months and now the rainy days have also ended and winter has started, onion farmers are facing a big problem of water for the onion crop in the rabi season.

In the eastern region, malshiras, Pondhe, Rajuri, Naigaon, Rise and Pise areas have completely turned their backs on the return rains. There are doubts about whether the crops currently in the field will survive. This has made it very difficult to plant new onions.

Farmers in the area cultivate onions in large numbers during this period of Diwali during the rabi season. After the onset of winter, the onion is very healthy and produces in a big way.

In this regard, many farmers have planted onion saplings and are currently cultivable. However, since there is a problem of water for cultivation itself, how will the onion crop be done in the future? Many onion growers have stopped planting onions for the time being as the problem is bothering onion growers.

Purandar Lift, Janai Shirsai Scheme
Farmers who had planted onions during Dussehra-Navratri in the hope of getting a changa market price were hit by the cloudy weather in the middle of the day.

The incidence of Karpa disease on the crop increased. This has ensured that onion production will decline. In the coming days, farmers will focus on purandar lift irrigation and Janai Shirsai yojana to save other crops, including onions, in the rabi season.

At present, a large number of saplings were planted for onion cultivation as there was a good market price for onions.

However, due to the problem of water for onion cultivation and the cost of cultivation of onions from planting to harvesting on a large scale, if water is not enough, then the cost will also be wasted.

As a result, it has chosen to wait for the time being to plant on a smaller scale, said Sharad Gaikwad, onion grower, Malshiras (Purandar)