Commodity Online
RAJKOT/HYDERABAD: As if the rising inflation is not enough, the government has another worry in hand. The crop loss due to the unseasonal rains and hailstorm in several states which left almost all crops damaged.

In Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, standing crops were damaged in the surprise rain and hailstorm this week.

Gujarat was the worst-hit with Mango, wheat and maize crops damaged in the rains.

Gujarat’s mango crop was already suffering due to an earlier spell of rains at the time of flowering. This week’s rains added to the woes with the about to ripe mangoes getting damaged in the hailstorm.

In Andhra Pradesh, the state is likely to see just 40 per cent of the total production of 35 lakh tonnes.

In Chittoor, which leads in mango production, the crop in half the 1.20 lakh acres was damaged.

As a result, mango prices are expected to soar significantly. Export to other states, too, is also expected to be hit.

A ministry of agriculture official said that crop in 4,600 hectares was damaged in March.

According to Jawaharbhai Patel, a Rajkot farmer, this hailstorm will definitely leave several farmers in the lurch.

Potato fields in Mehsana district were severely hit by the surprise showers. This is the time for harvesting for several crops and the wheat fields were getting ready for harvest when the hailstorm struck.

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