The floods in Maharashtra in August-September 2019 submerged sugarcane fields for over 20 days. How did this affect farmers?

The floods in Maharashtra in August–September 2019 had a severe impact on sugarcane farmers.

1. Crop Destruction: Sugarcane fields submerged for over 20 days led to waterlogging, which caused rotting of roots and crop damage, especially since sugarcane cannot withstand prolonged standing water.
2. Loss of Income: Sugarcane is a high-investment, long-duration crop (typically 10-12 months). Its destruction meant that farmers lost both their money and time invested over many months.
3. Delayed Harvest and Processing Issues: Flooded fields delayed harvest and reduced sucrose content, affecting both yield quality and recovery rate during sugar processing.
4. Soil Health Deterioration: Prolonged flooding led to soil nutrient loss and soil compaction, affecting future crops too.
5. Debt Burden: Many farmers took loans for fertilizers, irrigation, and labour. Crop loss increased their financial distress and indebtedness.