Sudhir Mungantiwar demands special relief package for Chandrapur soybean farmers affected by Yellow Mosaic Disease

Sudhir Mungantiwar. File Pic

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has called upon Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to announce a dedicated relief package for soybean farmers in Chandrapur district. This request comes in response to the devastating impact of the yellow mosaic disease on the soybean crop.

According to a statement released by Sudhir Mungantiwar, who represents the Ballarpur constituency in the area, soybean cultivation covered an extensive 67,766 hectares in Chandrapur district. However, in August, this crucial crop suffered severe damage due to the outbreak of the yellow mosaic virus, according to the report in PTI.

After conducting field visits and engaging with soybean farmers to assess the extent of the outbreak, Sudhir Mungantiwar, who serves as the minister for forest, cultural affairs, and fisheries, penned a letter to Chief Minister Shinde and Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde. In his letter, he requested the immediate implementation of a special relief package to support the affected soybean growers.

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The yellow mosaic virus is known to have detrimental effects on soybean plants, causing stunted growth, reduced seed size, and a decreased number of pods per plant. Additionally, it is a contributing factor to the discolouration of soybean seeds. Soybean is valued for its high protein content and plays a significant role in the agricultural landscape of the region.

In related developments, the district information officer disclosed that researchers from Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University in Akola would visit Chandrapur district on September 26. Their objective is to conduct a comprehensive study of the damage inflicted on the soybean crop by the virus.

Recently, the Nationalist Congress Party had asked for relief for farmers from loan recovery. According to the party, bank notices were issued to farmers across the state for loan recovery amid a lack of rainfall. The spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar-led party, Mahesh Tapase also raised questions on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led government; 's silence over the issue and demanded immediate action to provide relief to all farmers.

Meanwhile, Tapase added that the months of June and July witnessed rainfall deficiency than expected meanwhile August's rainfall was also below average by over 50 per cent.