Do not panic: Punjab agri dept to farmers after rain, high velocity winds

Following overnight rainfall and high velocity winds across the region on Thursday, the threat of damage looms large over the standing paddy crop, with heavy showers

Following overnight rainfall and high velocity winds across the region on Thursday, the threat of damage looms large over the standing paddy crop, with heavy showers having already delayed harvesting.

Farmer showing the damaged paddy crop after heavy rain at Ramgarh village near Patiala on Friday. (BHARAT BHUSHAN/HT)

After flattening of standing crop was reported from several villages of Ghanaur, Nabha, Bhadson, Patiala and Patran blocks, the agriculture department has asked farmers not to panic at his stage.

Not only the standing crop, but the paddy yield unloaded at purchasing centres will also suffer. Over 15,000 metric tonne of paddy yield has reached grain markets so far. Meanwhile, the agriculture department has rushed its teams to several areas to assess damage to the paddy crop.

At least 2.34lakh hectare of area is under paddy cultivation and the district administration is expecting around 13 lakh tonne of paddy production this year against 12 lakh tonne last year.

Agriculture experts believe if rainfall and high velocity winds continue in coming days, not only will it affect grain quality, making it vulnerable to shriveling, blackening and discolouration, but yield, too, will be reduced and moisture levels will spike.

Chief agriculture officer (CAO) Arvinder Singh said rainfall at this stage is a a cause of concern, but farmers need not panic at this stage. “No damage has been reported so far. The damage is the least as of now,” he said. CAO also said the harvesting has surely been delayed, but will gain momentum after October 10.