The gradual disappearance of certain seasonal crops from farms in Vidarbha reflects a shift that has been taking shape over many years. Farmers who once depended on a diverse cropping pattern are now moving towards crops that offer higher returns or appear more predictable in uncertain weather.

The fields that carried cereals and pulses for generations are now shaped by other choices. This change did not take place suddenly.

It has unfolded slowly and can be understood through concrete details observed across districts. The following sections outline how three seasonal crops are steadily losing ground, with each finding less space than before.

1. Jowar Losing Ground Across Rural Diets And Fields

Jowar was once an important cereal that shaped farming cycles and diets across the region. It remained central to food habits for decades, especially for households that relied on jowar bhakri as a daily meal. The shift away from this cereal began when wheat and rice became easier to access. As more families turned to these grains, the demand for jowar fell steadily. Farmers responded to this decline by choosing crops that promised quicker returns and a broader market. The spread of soybeans across the western parts of the region contributed further to this trend.

In many villages, jowar fields that once stretched across long patches have now been reduced to small pockets. Farmers explain that a regular drop in rainfall has made it difficult to maintain both kharif and rabi varieties. Their statements align with data that shows a gradual fall in the cultivation area. The cereal’s long standing connection with pastoral communities also weakened as many families shifted to other occupations. Some households recall the period when jowar was stored in large quantities in grain bins. They note that its role in domestic cooking practices has reduced, and they now purchase only small quantities for occasional use.

The yield of jowar also depends on soil moisture, and irregular showers during the sowing period have affected germination. Farmers point out that the grain’s value in the local market remains low compared to other seasonal crops, which does not encourage them to invest in it. Several older farmers speak about how the shift began nearly two decades ago, when mills producing wheat flour grew in number. They express that the replacement of jowar bhakri with wheat chapati has changed household demand. The decline in area is now visible across districts in both central and western Vidarbha, marking a clear change in the region’s agricultural pattern.

2. Moong Experiencing Reduced Sowing In Several Districts

Moong has long been cultivated as a seasonal pulse and forms a part of many agrarian systems. Its sowing typically depends on early monsoon showers, which allow farmers to prepare the land. Over the past few years, farmers in districts such as Akola, Buldhana and Washim have faced delays in rainfall that have directly affected moong sowing. When the first spell of rain arrives late, farmers tend to shift to other options that allow for more flexible sowing windows. This has led to a clear reduction in moong coverage across several patches that were once known for it.

The pulse is sensitive to excess moisture during harvest time. Many farmers experienced damage when unexpected rain arrived during the picking stage. They explain that such losses discourage them from repeating the crop in the following season. Agriculture officers who track sowing data also note this downward trend. Although moong continues to be grown in some favourable patches, the area has dropped considerably when compared to earlier decades. The reduced role of this pulse is also connected to market behaviour, since the price offered sometimes fails to match the effort required during weeding and harvesting.

Some farmers mention that labour shortages during the harvest period add another layer of difficulty.

They describe how manual picking becomes challenging when rainfall patterns shift. Others report that moong plants sometimes wither during dry spells that follow initial rains. These combined factors have contributed to a steady decline in acreage. Farmers who once maintained a clear rotation involving soybean and moong now prefer to continue with soybean or switch to tur. Local traders confirm that the volume of moong arriving in rural markets has fallen year after year. The decline is visible in storage units where sacks of moong used to be more common.

The drop in area has implications for household consumption patterns as well. Families that relied on moong for daily meals now source it from markets outside the region. The fading presence of this pulse is part of a broader agricultural shift. Farmers repeatedly point out that changing rainfall cycles have a direct impact on their decisions. Although moong remains an important pulse in some pockets of Vidarbha, its decreasing presence across many western districts has become a widely acknowledged trend.

3. Urad Witnessing A Consistent Decline In Cultivation

Urad cultivation has followed a pattern similar to moong, with a steady reduction in sowing across multiple districts. Farmers note that urad is extremely sensitive to water stress at the early growth stage. When rainfall is uneven or insufficient, the crop becomes vulnerable and fails to develop properly. This risk has pushed many farmers to avoid urad and switch to crops that they believe will withstand unexpected weather. The shift becomes more visible when comparing sowing data from the past and present.

In parts of western Vidarbha, farmers recall that urad once occupied a significant part of their kharif pattern. They explain that frequent interruptions in the monsoon have changed this pattern. Fields that once displayed rows of urad plants are now taken up by soybean or tur. Many farmers mention that the price of urad in the market varies sharply. They describe how the uncertainty around returns discourages them from dedicating land to it. Some farmers say that they attempted urad crops in consecutive years but faced weather-related setbacks that forced them to rethink their choices.

Urad plants require steady moisture during their early growth phase. When dry spells occur after sowing, the plants can turn weak or stunted. Farmers note that such scenarios have become frequent over the past few years. The pulse is also susceptible to crop diseases that spread during humid conditions. Several farmers share how their fields suffered during sudden moisture spikes. As a result, they now choose crops that have a more predictable response to changing climate conditions. Traders in rural markets also report a drop in the volume of urad arriving during the season.

Agricultural workshops in the region have discussed this decline, noting that urad acreage has decreased in many pockets where it once held importance. The falling presence of urad reflects a broad shift in cropping patterns across Vidarbha. Farmers continue to speak openly about the challenges they face in maintaining seasonal pulses. Their statements highlight the close link between weather patterns and cropping decisions. The gradual reduction of urad cultivation is a result of repeated losses and difficulties faced during the growing period. Although the pulse is still grown in some specific areas, its overall presence is reducing each year.

The fading presence of certain seasonal crops tells a clear story of how farming patterns are shifting across the region. The fields that once carried cereals and pulses in large quantities now tell a different account. Farmers describe how changes in rainfall, market choices and household consumption patterns have shaped their decisions. These observations show how closely agricultural choices are tied to day-to-day realities.

The movement towards other crops reflects a practical response to conditions faced across seasons. The reduction of jowar, moong and urad reveals the new direction of cultivation in a region where cropping decisions continue to evolve.