NAGPUR: The severe hailstorm, that lashed several parts of Vidarbha on Sunday, dealt its worst blow to the orange belt of Katol, Narkhed, Kalmeshwar, Mohpa extending to Saoner devastating around 60% of Mrig orange crop ready to be plucked. It also damaged standing crop of wheat and chana (gram). The loss could run into hundreds of crores, initial reports indicate.

Food and civil supplies minister Anil Deshmukh rushed back from Mumbai on Sunday evening and also skipped the first day of the four-day interim-budget session on Monday. After visiting around 30 villages in Katol-Narkhed tehsils of the Assembly constituency he represents, Deshmukh said: "The damage is severe. Lemon-sized hail descended in full force ripping off oranges and mausambi (sweet lemon) from the plants. I will take up the matter with the chief minister. After a hectic day of consoling stricken farmers, Deshmukh was to take a late evening flight to Mumbai.

"Early reports suggest the hailstorm caused damage in 35,000 hectares in the district," said district collector Abhishek Krishna. He accompanied Deshmukh on inspection of some Katol villages in the morning and later visited Kamptee tehsil where damage was more widespread - in 13,000ha.

Krishna said hailstorm also hit 4,700ha in Katol, 1,830ha in Kalmeshwar, 2,085ha in Narkhed, 3,488ha in Kuhi and 10,000ha in Mouda. He said crop damage figures will take at least two weeks to be worked out after a full survey of affected areas.

Nagpuri Santra Utpadak Sangh (orange growers association) secretary Manoj Jawanjal said the Mrig crop was devastated to the extent of 60 to 70% in around 30,000ha extending from Warud to Saoner in the hailstorm since Saturday night. "Fruit damage is extensive. Those left on plants will also be lost as the hail strike has damaged the fruit which will now start decaying. Whatever is salvaged will have to be sold at throwaway price because of sudden glut in market," said Jawanjal.

"Average per hectare orange yield fetches 4.5 lakh. But even 60% damage in 30,000 hectares means losses to the tune of hundreds of crores," he said. "It may sound shocking but as per insurance company norms finalized by the government, hail damage does not qualify for claims. So despite paying up insurance premium to the tune of 900 crore in the cotton belt, we cannot expect any compensation from insurance claims," lamented former MLA Sunil Shinde, who is spearheading the orange growers' interest. Shinde said at least 80 villages in the district were hit. "Kavelu (roof tiles) were broken and several roofs were blown away leaving people shelter less in several villages," said Shinde.

Jawanjal said a similar hailstorm in January had damaged crop in 70,000ha in Amravati district's Warud and Morshi areas. "So it's a very bad year for orange, citrus fruit growers of Vidarbha. Shinde has demanded that the state should pay at least 30,000 per hectare to farmers to cover the huge loss caused by the nature.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/