Farmers in Bagalkot, who recently held hopes of good returns from their onion harvest, have seen their optimism shattered by the devastating effects of heavy rainfall. After weeks of flooding, the surviving onions are now fetching alarmingly low prices in the market, exacerbating the financial difficulties already faced by local growers.
This season, Bagalkot farmers cultivated onions across approximately 38,000 hectares. However, torrential rains last month inundated many fields, resulting in extensive losses as onions floated and rotted in the waterlogged soil. The aftermath has left farmers with only a fraction of their crop intact, and the floodwaters have only just receded.
With market conditions drastically shifting, the remaining onions are being sold for a mere ₹400-₹500 per quintal, and at best, ₹1,000. This pricing barely covers transportation costs, leaving farmers in a precarious financial situation.
Reports indicate that around 10,000 hectares of the cultivated onion crop suffered severe waterlogging. Many onions remain buried in the soil, rotting away, while the quality of those that survived has significantly declined, further pushing prices down. As prices fall across the state, Bagalkot farmers find themselves grappling with the harsh realities of crop loss and financial instability.
In light of these challenging circumstances, R.B. Timmapur, the District-in-Charge Minister, has recognised the difficulties faced by the farmers. He has assured the community that a survey of the affected areas is currently underway and promised that the government would begin disbursing compensation for crop damage by next week. This commitment is expected to provide some relief, although farmers are understandably concerned about the speed and adequacy of the compensation process.
The plight of onion farmers in Bagalkot highlights the broader challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the wake of extreme weather events. With crop damage leading to significantly lower market prices, farmers are in urgent need of support and effective government intervention. As they await compensation, the focus remains on rebuilding their livelihoods and restoring hope for future harvests.