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Rain, wind damage wheat crop, farmers worried in Punjab’s Doaba region
Farmers allege officials rarely tabulate the damage incurred correctly, leading to lesser compensation.
Heavy rain and strong winds blew across Doaba region on Wednesday and the India Meteorological Department has predicted more rain in the days to come. Recent storms and strong winds blowing across the Doaba region and the IMD’s prediction has left farmers, who were hoping for a bumper crop, apprehensive.
Though the agriculture department is yet to tabulate the losses, farmers say 30% their crop has already been affected.
A wheat farmer, Kulbir Singh of Shadipur village, Nurmahal, says, “Unseasonal rains and heavy winds have damaged the crop in Nakodar. I sowed wheat on 50 acres and over 30% of the wheat was damaged. The rain on Wednesday damaged still more crops.”
He alleged the agriculture department never submits an accurate report, which impacts the compensation received.
Another farmer, Ajmer Singh of Talwan village, says he had sown wheat on 80 acres of land and around 40% of the crop was flattened.
“Most farmers do not approach the agriculture department as they know they will not receive any compensation, while officials never bother visiting villages to analyse the actual loss,” said Ajmer.
Gurvir Singh of Bilga, also says that 30% crop on his 20-acre land was affected. “The strong winds have delayed harvesting time and increased my losses,” he rued.
Agriculture officials say future showers will bring down the crop yield and affect the grain quality as the grain might turn black.
Hardev Singh, of Bholath village, says, “Farmers have to bear losses every time due to some reason or the other but the agriculture department never accesses the ground situation.”
Jalandhar agriculture officer Naresh Gulati and Kapurthala agriculture officer Ashwani Kumar said that they are conducting a survey to access the actual loss.
They predicted the rains will affect 5-10% of the yield.
