A sudden hour-long hailstorm on Sunday destroyed grape crop worth Rs60 crore across 5,000 acres in the northeastern parts of the state’s vine district of Nashik. The hail also damaged wheat and vegetables.
After a few unseasonal showers last week, between 6pm and 7:10pm on Sunday, hail stones the size of ice cubes rained down on several villages, including Chandsi, Dari, Matori, Dhagur, Wadgaon, Girnare, Dugaon, and Makhmalabad.
“Around 5,000 acres of agricultural land, mostly vineyards, was affected,” said Vijay Gadhak, secretary of the grape growers’ association. “Almost 40,000 tonnes of grapes worth Rs60 crore were damaged. The loss is tremendous.”
The collector, regional officer, and other government officials visited the area to assess the damage.
Leaves fell off, exposing and damaging the grape berries. Bunches of berries have either been damaged or have dropped loose.
“It was time to bear the fruit [of hard work] and all is gone now,” said Suresh Kadu, a farmer from Mungsara.
The average cost of production per acre of vineyard is about Rs1 lakh. Assuming a good harvest of 8 tonnes per acre, the farmer makes around Rs40,000, which he invests in the next cycle. This year the cost of production had already increased 30% due the attack of Downy disease on the leaves.
The growers’ association has asked farmers to market whatever is left on the creepers because there is a danger of fungal growth.
Gadhak said the growers have asked the district collector to assess the damage and provide relief to farmers.
A similar hailstorm had ruined the crop in Naitale Niphad in 2006.
