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By:

Ramesh Patil

30 January 2025 at 2:35:31 pm

Rain Check for Marathwada

The uneven march of the southwest monsoon is once again exposing the fragility of rain-fed agriculture. The southwest monsoon has never been an equal-opportunity visitor. This year it has arrived with a familiar paradox. While Konkan, Mumbai and large parts of western Maharashtra have been inundated by torrential rain, Marathwada remains trapped in a frustrating cycle of scattered showers followed by long dry spells. For a region where agriculture depends overwhelmingly on the vagaries of the...

Rain Check for Marathwada

The uneven march of the southwest monsoon is once again exposing the fragility of rain-fed agriculture. The southwest monsoon has never been an equal-opportunity visitor. This year it has arrived with a familiar paradox. While Konkan, Mumbai and large parts of western Maharashtra have been inundated by torrential rain, Marathwada remains trapped in a frustrating cycle of scattered showers followed by long dry spells. For a region where agriculture depends overwhelmingly on the vagaries of the skies, this is not merely a meteorological curiosity. It is an economic emergency in slow motion. Forced Delay The immediate casualty is the Kharif sowing season. Across much of Marathwada, farmers have been forced to delay sowing because the soil simply does not contain enough moisture. Others who took the gamble after the first pre-monsoon showers now find themselves worrying whether their newly sown fields will survive the intervening dry spell. What should have been a period of activity and cautious optimism has instead become one of anxious waiting. The crops most affected are also those that define the region’s agricultural economy. Soybean, cotton and tur remain the principal Kharif crops, supplemented by pulses such as moong and urad. Each requires timely sowing and dependable early-season rainfall to establish healthy growth. A delayed start compresses the growing season, while interrupted rainfall threatens germination itself. Should seedlings fail, farmers face the unenviable prospect of re-sowing, doubling expenditure on seeds, labour and field preparation. Agricultural science offers little room for improvisation. Experts consistently advise that sowing should begin only after the soil has accumulated adequate moisture. Premature planting in anticipation of rain is often more damaging than waiting a few extra days. A dry spell immediately after sowing can wipe out germinating seeds, forcing farmers back to square one. In regions where input costs have steadily risen and farm incomes remain uncertain, such setbacks can be financially devastating. Optimal Sowing Yet the dilemma confronting farmers is understandable. Waiting too long also carries risks. Every passing day narrows the optimal sowing window, potentially reducing yields even if the rains eventually arrive. The decision is therefore no longer simply agricultural; it has become a calculated wager against an increasingly unpredictable climate. The India Meteorological Department has offered a measure of hope by forecasting increased rainfall across Marathwada in the coming days. If those predictions materialise and the rains remain sustained rather than episodic, sowing operations could gather pace rapidly. Farmers possess remarkable resilience and can often recover lost time when weather conditions cooperate. But optimism must remain tempered. One or two heavy showers cannot compensate for prolonged moisture deficits. Agriculture depends less on spectacular downpours than on steady, well-distributed rainfall. This uneven distribution of the monsoon is becoming a recurring feature rather than an isolated anomaly. Climate variability is making rainfall increasingly erratic, producing episodes of both flood and drought within the same state. Maharashtra now illustrates this contradiction vividly. While cities on the western coast grapple with waterlogging and overflowing rivers, farmers barely a few hundred kilometres away stare at cracked fields and empty skies. The challenge is no longer merely the quantity of rainfall but its timing and distribution. Such volatility demands a broader rethink of agricultural policy. Weather forecasting has improved considerably, yet translating forecasts into timely farm-level decisions remains uneven. Extension services must ensure that advisories reach farmers quickly and in forms they can readily use. Crop insurance schemes must respond faster when failed germination forces re-sowing. Investment in farm ponds, watershed management and micro-irrigation can reduce dependence on the monsoon's increasingly uncertain rhythm. None of these measures can replace rain, but they can soften its absence. Marathwada’s predicament serves as a reminder of how deeply India’s rural economy remains tied to the monsoon. Despite advances in technology and decades of agricultural policy, millions of farmers still begin each season with the same ritual: watching the horizon for rain clouds. When those clouds hesitate, the consequences ripple far beyond the farm gate, affecting rural incomes, commodity prices and, eventually, the wider economy. For now, Marathwada waits. The forecasts promise relief, but forecasts do not irrigate fields. Only sustained rainfall can rescue the Kharif season from drifting further off course. Until then, every cloud carries hope, every dry day compounds anxiety, and every missed shower reminds India that its agricultural fortunes remain inseparable from the caprices of the monsoon. (The writer is a farmer and resident of Latur district. Views personal.)

Imran Khan’s Fall from Grace

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Imran Khan’s Fall from Grace

Imran Khan, once hailed as Pakistan’s most charismatic and resilient leader now finds himself in a position unprecedented for a man of his stature.

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, once known for his unyielding spirit and fierce determination, now shows signs of strain. Imprisoned and facing numerous charges, Khan appears to be a shadow of the leader who once inspired millions.

Khan’s recent meeting with journalists revealed a man who is a shell of his former self. Once confident and commanding, his body now shows a sense of unease and agitation. Those who met him describe a waning spirit, a stark change for a leader once known for his steadfastness in adversity.

The journalists described Khan as a man who is aware that his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is losing its once-iron grip on the nation’s imagination―a realisation that visibly shook him.

The PTI, once a magnet for massive crowds and inspired loyalty among its supporters, is now struggling. The much-hyped rally scheduled for August 22 in Islamabad, was embarrassingly cancelled due to a lack of public interest. Khan, in a bid to save face, claimed that the rally was called off to avoid potential violence. In a sign of growing desperation, Khan rescheduled the rally for September 8 and directed his party leaders to overcome any obstacles. This defiant stance is typical of Khan’s confrontational style, and his public directives highlight his insecurity about his party’s ability to mobilise support.

While Khan outwardly appears calm and composed, the multiple cases against him and his time in jail have left him isolated and struggling with loneliness. Even in this difficult situation, he remains in the headlines, thanks to his uncanny ability to stay in the public’s eye. Khan recently made headlines by applying for the University of Oxford Chancellorship, a move initially dismissed as a rumor but confirmed by his spokesman, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari. As an Oxford alumnus, Khan would be the first Asian to take the role. Many see this bid as a strategic play to leverage his international profile against Pakistan’s establishment, a move that has kept him prominently in the media spotlight.

The political landscape in Pakistan is deeply divided. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in his second term, has failed to address critical issues including unemployment, soaring inflation, and deteriorating law and order. His administration’s inability to deliver on its promises has only deepened the public’s disillusionment, leading to growing nostalgia for Khan’s past leadership.

Shahbaz Sharif’s government is a source of frustration for the Pakistani people and a cause for concern for the country’s military. Historically, the military has shaped Pakistan’s political trajectory, stepping in when civilian governments falter. The military reportedly is growing uneasy about the government’s performance especially Sharif’s inability to stabilize the country and mend relationships with key neighbors, particularly India. Additionally, its deteriorating ties with Afghanistan and Iran have left Pakistan increasingly isolated. Even China, Pakistan’s longstanding ally, has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s policies, a worrying sign given the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to the country’s economic future.

It is within this context of political turmoil and international isolation that Imran Khan remains a potent force. Despite his legal troubles and the challenges facing his party, Khan’s popularity endures. For millions of Pakistanis, his tenure as Prime Minister is seen as a time of relative stability and hope, a stark contrast to the current administration’s ineptitude. This perception has kept Khan’s political base intact, even as his party faces an uphill battle in the coming months.

However, Khan’s ability to navigate the current political landscape is far from guaranteed. The PTI’s diminishing support, coupled with the increasing pressure from the establishment, raises questions about Khan’s long-term strategy. His recent moves, including the application for the Oxford Chancellorship, suggest a leader willing to explore unconventional avenues to maintain his relevance. But whether these tactics will translate into a successful political comeback remains to be seen.

Pakistan’s political future is more uncertain than ever. Imran Khan’s journey from cricketing legend to political maverick has been extraordinary. Still, as he faces the toughest challenge of his career, the question remains: Can he once again defy the odds and reclaim his place at the helm of Pakistani politics, or is this the beginning of the end for a once unstoppable leader?

Khan’s story is a testament to the complexities of power and the unpredictable nature of political life in Pakistan. His rise, driven by charisma, populism, and a genuine desire for change, now faces the realities of personal and political challenges, raising the possibility that his time may be running out.

Imran Khan is a beacon of hope for his supporters, and a polarizing figure for detractors, whose ambitions have often clouded his judgment. As the nation watches, the world is left to wonder: What will Imran Khan’s next move be? And more importantly, what does it mean for the future of Pakistan? The coming months will be critical not only for Imran Khan but for Pakistan as a whole. The decisions made during this period will shape the country’s trajectory for years. Whether Khan emerges victorious or is consigned to the annals of history as a fallen leader, one thing is certain: The story of Imran Khan is far from over.

(The writer is a senior jounalist based in Islamabad. Views personal)

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