Theft of millet crops in Solapur compels farmers to seek police intervention

“A small rivulet runs across the 12 acres of my millet field and the crop was the best in that area. Last week, some one stole all the growing cobs overnight. It was evident that a grape pruning scissor was used for the theft, given how sharp the cuts were. I lost around five quintals of the crop,” said Ghule.

The cobs are thrashed to harvest the grains from it, which are then milled. Flour from the grains is used as a staple in many areas and the central government has promoted sorghum as an important source of micro minerals in the ongoing ‘Year of the Millet.’

Stray incidents of theft, Ghule said, was not unknown but this was the first time when such large scale theft of the millet has taken place. Rahul Ghule, another farmer and a member of the farm union Swambhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, said this year, incidents of theft have increased.

“Sorghum fields are vast and away from habitat. Due to the ongoing drought, many people, who relied on daily jobs are finding it difficult to make ends meet. This is one of the cause of the increased incidents of thefts,” he said.

Mangalwedha is mostly a rain-fed area with millet being the main cash crop of the area. Called as the millet bowl of the state, sorghum produced in Mangalwedha has been awarded a Geographical Indicator (GI) tag to characterize its uniqueness.

Currently, sorghum is priced between Rs 3,300-3,400/quintal at the wholesale market . “I have lost around Rs 20,000, due to crop theft,” said Ghule.

On Tuesday, Manoj and 10 other farmers submitted an application at the Mangalwedha police station to complain about the widespread theft. “Given the drought condition, prices are moderately well and this is the only crop we farmers have this year. If the theft continues, all of us will face financial losses,” he said.

A police officer from the Mangalvedha police station said they have received the complaint.