Kharif output under threat...

THE state's agriculture minister, said on Wednesday that rains this month have caused more losses by impacting crops in about 30 of the 36 districts.

- DATTATRAY BHARNE

“A crop loss survey is under way on a war footing with the help of the revenue and agriculture departments,’ he said.

This came after crops like paddy and bajra were severely hit because of surplus rainfall in Punjab and Rajasthan. Even some crops in Karnataka have been hit.

While the inter-ministerial teams consisting of officials from Union ministries including agriculture, animal husbandry and home have visited Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir to assess the damage to the crops, several teams will be sent to other states if the rainfall continues unabated, sources said.