Jalpaiguri, May 8 (ANI): Untimely rains have damaged the entire jute crop in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district.
Already distressed by the damage caused to the pineapple crop, the damage to jute crop comes as huge blow to the farmers as it is a major source of income for them.
The rain has led to the growth of grass in the fields, which is causing hindrance to jute's growth.
Usually at this time of the year, the jute seedlings grow from one ft to two ft, but this year the seedlings have grown only six inches.
"This year the condition of jute is very bad. We have sown the jute seedlings, but the rain has led to the field being full of grass and then hail downpour also broke the seedlings. With this condition, there is no chance to get satisfactory amount of jute," said Ratan Roy, a farmer from Rajgang block .
The farmers are now weeding out the grass and replanting the jute seedlings, but they do not have much expectation from the harvest .
"The rains and hail downpour have damaged our entire jute crop. We just do not know what to do now. We are now replanting the jute seedlings, but we know beforehand that we will not get any good harvest," said Julon Barman, another farmer.
Jute is one of the most viable cash crops of India, which is mostly cultivated in the eastern region of the country.
West Bengal stands first in the country in jute production and the districts of alpaiguri and Cooch Behar are the forerunners in its production in the entire state. (ANI)
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