The horticulture crops, which include fruits and vegetables, are at a risk of a washout in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, due to locust attacks in the country, said broking firm Motilal Oswal on Monday in a report on agriculture sector.
The report said that major standing crops in the field at not at risk of locusts attacks in the affected states, as the rabi harvest has already been completed.
However, horticulture crops in the affected States cumulatively contribute 38 per cent to India’s 312 MMT of horticulture production (2017–18), and they at a risks of being damaged by the crop pest.
Sugarcane, kharif crops under threat
The report pointed out that the outbreak has to stop before the arrival of monsoon rainfall in June/July, when the locusts would mature and breed. If infestation is not controlled, then it would pose a threat to the kharif crops.
On the damage to the sugarcane crop, the report added that the period from January to March is for the sowing of sugarcane crop in Uttar Pradesh, and any locust attack may impact sugarcane crop in that State. Out of normal sowing area for sugarcane in the country, Uttar Pradesh constitutes 45 per cent of the area.
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