Cyclone Tauktae endangers the livelihood of farmers in Gujarat

Cyclone Tauktae made its landfall in Gujarat on Tuesday, causing an upheaval of roads, uprooting of trees, and destruction of houses in the state. While the state officials had listed safety guidelines for citizens to follow, farmers and farm owners were left stranded amidst the cyclone.

According to a farmer at Talali Jheel, the summer season had brought a much-needed financial respite to the farmers. However, the relief was short-lived as the cyclone hit the coast of Gujarat and caused heavy destruction to these mango farms. Farmers in Gir Somnath claimed that not only did the cyclone ravage close to 90% of their impending harvest, but it also uprooted 3-4% of the trees aged 25 years and more. 

A significant cause of worry is that most mango farms follow monoculture. Nilesh Radadia, a farm owner in Gir Somnath, said, “It takes a year to cultivate mango farms, and no other crop can be grown during this period as it might affect the yield of mango.” Due to this, a year’s yield was lost yesterday after the cyclone. When asked if there was any chance to salvage the yield, he rather hopelessly added that they were left with no other option but to start preparing for the year to come. A few coconut cultivators were also left despairing after their 60-70 year-old trees were uprooted by the cyclone.  

On an estimate, mango farms cover 1.75 lakh hectares in the state, and yet, the insurance policy does not cover these farmlands. Hence, knowing that the brunt of the cyclone would have to be borne by the farmers with no support from the government, farmer concerns stood elevated. However, in a recent statement, CM Vijay Rupani assured the farmers that reparations would be provided to farmers after a survey is carried out in the affected farmlands. No further details regarding the amount and coverage were given by the government, though. 

Apart from coconuts and mangoes, reports of a loss in the cultivation of bananas, chickoo, dragon fruits, and jambu had also surfaced in Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, and Kutchh. Visuals of the cyclone wreaking havoc on the west coast consumed the internet yesterday. With five deaths being reported in Bhavnagar, at least 17 people lost their lives to the cyclone in Gujarat. In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the India Meteorological Department said that the cyclone had weakened into a “depression” and laid centered over South Rajasthan.