Physical Address
23,24,25 & 26, 2nd Floor, Software Technology Park India, Opp: Garware Stadium,MIDC, Chikalthana, Aurangabad, Maharashtra – 431001 India
Drought and water scarcity are putting pressure on farmers in Karnataka and Maharashtra, threatening crops that support rural livelihoods and agricultural industries. In Karnataka, mulberry yields have reportedly fallen by about 50%, raising concerns for the state’s sericulture sector, which depends on mulberry leaves to feed silkworms. In Maharashtra, grape growers fear losing up to 40% of their harvest as inadequate rainfall and dwindling water reserves threaten vineyards, while onion farmers are reconsidering their next crop choices. Together, these developments highlight how water shortages can affect crop yields, farmers’ incomes and decisions about what to cultivate in subsequent seasons.
Water shortages threaten mulberry and grape cultivation
The falling mulberry yield in Karnataka is a problem for sericulture as healthy leaves are needed for the silkworms to grow and produce cocoons. The production of fewer leaves can make it difficult for farmers to provide adequate feed, potentially impacting cocoon yields and income throughout the silk production chain.
In Maharashtra, the drought has raised particular concerns among grape growers. Nashik district received just 34.3% of its normal monsoon rainfall. Farmers fear that available water reserves may sustain vineyards only until the December-January harvest, leaving vines vulnerable if shortages continue into 2027. Late-monsoon rainfall replenished some ponds and water bodies, offering temporary relief, but the longer-term outlook remains uncertain as high temperatures and evaporation continue to put pressure on water supplies.
Losing vineyards could leave farmers with years of costs
The threat to Maharashtra’s grape industry is more than simply losing one harvest. Farmers in some areas of Solapur and Sangli are particularly concerned about their ability to bring in their crops. Even those vines that do survive this season could be damaged or destroyed by prolonged water scarcity in 2027.
Re-establishing a vineyard is expensive and time-consuming. A new plantation can cost at least ₹5 lakh per acre and take around four years to produce its first grape harvest. Farmers who lose established vines could therefore face substantial replanting expenses alongside several years without returns. The financial risks are also influencing decisions about other crops. Onion growers with access to rivers or ponds may continue cultivation, while those facing severe water shortages must weigh whether planting another crop is financially viable.
Drought puts crop choices under pressure as climate risks grow
The drought is also forcing onion growers in Maharashtra to rethink their next crop. Farmers with access to rivers and ponds can continue cultivation, but those facing water shortages have to weigh the risks of investing in another crop without reliable irrigation. Farmers can adjust their crop choices to deal with immediate losses, but their decisions are still largely shaped by the amount of water available, the cost of production and the unpredictability of future rainfall.
The pressures on mulberry, grape and onion growers show how vulnerable agriculture can be to water scarcity and rising temperatures. Global warming is increasing evaporation and crop water demand. Changing rainfall patterns are making water supplies less predictable. While it is impossible to say for sure that climate change is the only reason for the particular drought conditions without further analysis, rising climate risks mean that water conservation, effective irrigation and climate-resilient farming are more important than ever to protect crop production and rural livelihoods.
References:
https://sulavineyards.com/pdf/Industry-Report-Wine.pdf
Banner image: Photo by Paul Isac on Unsplash
Sections of this article may have been developed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to support research, drafting, and language refinement. All information has been reviewed, edited, and verified by the author/editor to ensure accuracy, context, and editorial integrity. The responsibility for the final content, interpretations, and conclusions rests solely with the publisher.
