Pune: Birds Destroying Sorghum Crops Pre-Harvest, Farmers Agitated

Pune, 27th November 2022: Due to prolonged rains this year, the sowing of crops was delayed in many places. The sorghum (millet) grains that survived the timely sowing and the burst of rain are currently in flower. After a few days, it will shrivel. But before that, the corn is being destroyed by birds. As there is no crop suitable for the birds to eat in the surrounding area, the flight of the birds has turned towards the sorghum, which is in full bloom. This is the situation in various parts of the state, including the Pune district, due to which farmers have become anxious. Therefore, the possibility of effect on Hurda parties is being expressed in most of the areas.

Farmers are expressing serious concern as the grains are emptying before the harvest. In most places this year, questions regarding the availability of good hurda (jowar grains) have risen. At present, this situation is mainly seen in areas of sugarcane fields near sorghum crops in the Pune district. Due to the growth of large areas of sugarcane and orchards, the birds need edible crops. Hence, even before the crops are harvested, the birds are falling on the sorghum crop and within two or three days, the filled grains are seen empty.

People who have gone to the city for work, come to the village to eat hurda during the Christmas holidays. The flowering stage of sorghum grains is considered to be a very delicate stage. If there is unseasonal rain in this state, the sorghum turns yellow and then black. However, now the farmers are facing a different crisis. Experts are expressing the possibility of a major reduction in the production of sorghum which has already been disrupted in sowing, as the birds destroy the sorghum crops while they are still in flower form.

One of the most demanding and difficult tasks in the sorghum crop is to protect it from birds. To maintain the sorghum crop, the farmer is working in the field from early morning to drive away the birds from his crops by using slingshots, firecrackers and other noise-making devices. For this, a tall wooden garland is made in the sorghum crop. By standing on this garland, the birds are chased away by making specific calls and different sounds. Sorghum harvesting generally begins in mid-December. Then the hurda parties begin.