Rains cause damage to wheat crop ahead of harvesting in Punjab

Intermittent rainfall during the last few days across Punjab has led to lodging of the wheat crop, which is at maturing stage

Intermittent rainfall during the last few days across Punjab has led to lodging of the wheat crop, which is at maturing stage.

A farmer inspects the damages of his wheat crop flattened by strong winds and rains, on the outskirts of Amritsar. (PTI Photo)

As per reports Sangrur, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and the districts in south-west Punjab have reported damage to the crop. The state agriculture department which two days ago had estimated damage to 4 lakh hectares, says the area has expanded to larger extent as the information is being gathered from all the districts.

This season, wheat has been cultivated on 34.90 lakh hectares and was heading towards the final stage of maturing till the last week when the rainfall started. The agricultural experts have predicted a yield loss of atleast 10% in case the weather conditions continue for more days, which means a loss of ₹2,600 crore to the farmers.

The Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana is also keeping a close watch on the scenario as according to its vice-chancellor Dr. SS Gosal, Krishi Vigyaan Kendras in the districts have been asked to report the loss. “If we see fields along the main highways and state roads there is complete lodging barring few pockets, we have to identify the loss in the internal areas,” he added.

Gosal added that the university will also conduct a qualitative analysis of the lodging pattern, such as crop over which kind of soil has shown the severe impact, specific area, usage of fertilisers and the variety that has suffered maximum damage. Though Gosal said that the exact damage was still to be ascertained but the rainfall at this stage and predictions of more rainfall on Friday night and Saturday would cause damage to the crop.

The state government is worried because the crop suffered overall yield loss to the tune of 13% in the previous wheat season due to delayed rainfall. “We do not want to lose on the production this season also as it causes burden on the farmers for the reason that loss of productivity leads to economic loss,” said an officer of the state agriculture department, which has also asked its field staff to send a report by accessing the loss.

As against 175 lakh tonnes of total expected wheat production in the state, only 151 lakh tonnes were produced last season. .

In the 2021 rabi season, average wheat yield per hectare was 48.68 quintals, which in the last season fell to 42.07 quintals, a loss of 6.61 quintals, according to official records.