Viral Disease Hits Chilli Crops in MP's Barwani

A viral disease outbreak has severely impacted chilli crops in the Rajpur area of Barwani district in Madhya Pradesh. The disease has caused leaves to curl and chillies to remain stunted, resulting in significant production losses for farmers.

The situation has become a major concern for farmers, who are not only dealing with crop losses but also struggling with low market prices for their undersized chillies.

Farmer Ramesh Shobharam Kushwaha, who planted chillies on two acres, spent over Rs one lakh but saw his crop ruined by the virus. Similarly, Farmer Shubham Ramlal spent between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh on three acres before the crop was destroyed.

The cost of chilli cultivation is around Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 per acre, and farmers are finding it difficult to recover even their labour expenses.

Between 100 and 200 farmers in the Rajpur area have been affected, with the total number of affected farmers potentially running into hundreds across the tehsil. Chilli cultivation covers around 20,000 hectares in Barwani district.

Farmers are facing a double blow of low yields and weak market prices, making it challenging for them to sustain their livelihoods.

In response to the crisis, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh has demanded an early survey of the affected areas and relief for the farmers.

The viral disease outbreak has highlighted the vulnerabilities of the agricultural sector in the region and the need for support and relief measures to help farmers recover from their losses.

The situation in Barwani serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by farmers in India, who are often at the mercy of factors such as weather, pests, and diseases that can impact their crops and livelihoods.

As the farmers in Barwani struggle to cope with the aftermath of the viral disease outbreak, it is essential for the authorities to provide them with the necessary support and relief to help them recover and rebuild their lives.