Sun burns and Frost bites

The slow death of chickpea,stunting crops and soaring costs push Churu’s farmer’s to the brink

By Devyanshi Bihani

Churu, Rajasthan: “Sunehri si kheti hoti thi bajra, chana aur sarson ki.” (There used to be golden fields of pearl millet, chickpea, and mustard). Now, we stare at stunted growth and empty skies," says Bajranglal Malluram, a 56-year-old farmer from Bhanipura, whose hands bear the scars of 50 years of toil.

Vanishing Crops

Source: 12+IJBSM+July+2023+Vol+14_7+Ali+et+al.pdf; CEICCDATA.COM (private platform) and IMD

Chana, the yellowish tiny chickpea, once a hallmark crop of Churu in the Northern region of Rajasthan, has all but disappeared from the region's fields.

Known for thriving with minimal rain , it struggles to survive because summers extend into October and even November, disrupting the monsoon season.

"Earlier, just a couple of rains were enough," says Revtaram Sanvtram, Bhanipura’s oldest farmer. "Now, without irrigation, there's no hope,” adds the 74-year-old.

Bhanipura, a small village in Churu district, has a population of approximately 1866 people, with around 296 households. The loss of the chana crop isn't just a financial setback. It's a cultural loss for farmers who’ve grown the crop for generations. "Chana was a source of pride and income," explains Shera Ram Joshi, the 55-year-old sarpanch of Bhanipura.

Other Stunted Crops and Their Impact

“Kheti bahut dori hugi, mehangai hai jaki badhgi” (Farming has become difficult, and costs have risen), says Kesraram Snobagaram, the 64-year-old farmer from Bhanipura.

Staple Kharif crops like jowar, moth, and bajra struggle to survive in the face of insufficient water, excessive heat, and rising costs. Even mustard, once considered a profitable option, is now facing challenges. Despite repeated pesticide applications, often three to four times per season, pests continue ravaging crops by eating up the leaves, especially during the late stages.

“Without fertilizers, seeds, and proper irrigation, crops don’t grow well, especially in the heat. Even when 10 kilograms of seeds are sown, only five sprouts, with half of them stunted,” says Snobagaram.

Farmers who once harvested 1.5 to 2 quintals of bajra or moth per bigha now manage just 20-25 kilograms. “Not everyone can afford these treatments. For many, it’s a choice between saving their crops or saving money,” he adds.

“Nitrogen deficiency in the soil has become a significant challenge,” complains Malluram. “‘Loo and Aandhi’ (Hot winds and dust storms) used to help regulate temperatures and improve soil fertility but are no longer as frequent,” adds Malluram. He explains that Urea and DAP are now heavily used to manage the declining nitrogen content in the soil.

Seeds Fry, Yields Dry

“Sandals stick to the parched ground,” says Bhagwati Devi. “Our backs burn, and we get blisters,” adds Raju Devi from Badi Sawai, describing the harsh summers where temperatures soar up to almost 51°C.

“It feels like a microwave, you could roast papad on the streets,” laughs Sandeep Saran, a 21-year-old farmer cum student from Badi Sawai.

Electricity and it's Challenges

The dependence on electricity has significantly increased. Where tree shade once offered natural cooling, the reduction in tree cover now compels families to rely on coolers and air conditioners. As a result, monthly electricity bills have surged from Rs. 200 to Rs. 3,000- Rs. 4,000, according to the Bhanipura Sarpanch.

Farmers are provided electricity in rotating shifts —10 am to 4 pm, 10 pm to 4 am, and 4 am to 10 am.

For instance, if a farmer receives electricity from 10 am to 4 pm during one week, they won’t have power during the other two time slots (10 pm to 4 am and 4 am to 10 am) for that week. The following week, they will be moved to the next shift, and this rotation will continue accordingly.

This poses another challenge.

During summers, the daytime shift (10 am to 4 pm) coincides with peak heat, often exceeding 45°C, exposing farmers to dehydration, heatstroke, and exhaustion.

Winters bring their own struggles, as the early morning shift (4 a.m. to 10 a.m.) forces farmers to work in near-freezing temperatures.

“‘Paala pad jaata hai’ (frost forms on the plants) because the temperature is already low in the morning. Additionally, the use of water causes the temperature to drop further,” explains Shoganram Gopalram, resulting in the leaves turning yellow and dying prematurely.

“When our electricity is scheduled for early morning, we work with hands and feet drenched in icy water. It feels like -2°C,” says the farmer cum student.

Source: IMD, The Weather Channel, AccuWeather and Tutiempo.net (private platform)

Source: IMD, The Weather Channel, AccuWeather and Tutiempo.net (private platform)

Source: IMD, The Weather Channel, AccuWeather and Tutiempo.net (private platform)

Groundwater Depletion and Saline Water

Villagers say the nearest canal is 50 km away in Taranagar Tehsil and has minimal water supply. Another Canal is under construction in Taranagar, which is 70km away.

Crops now heavily rely on tubewell as rainwater is nearly absent. Over the past decade, tube well depths in Badi Sawai have increased from 250 feet to 450 feet, and in some nearby villages, they have reached 850 feet. This has led to brackish water and worsening soil quality, according to 21-year-old Saran.

And the reliance on tube wells and sprinklers has driven irrigation costs higher.