The ongoing extreme cold weather may have paralysed normal life in the region, but farmers are not complaining as the same is a boon for the rabi crops such as wheat, barley, mustard, sunflower and pulses and beans.
As per figures of agriculture department, in Sangrur around 2.85-lakh hectare area is under wheat cultivation. The area under other rabi crops is scattered in different blocks including Sunam, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Moonak, Lehragaga and Mandi Ahmedgarh and others.
Chief agriculture officer Rajinder Singh Sohi said the ongoing cold and foggy conditions were perfect for wheat crop, which was at its vegetative growth. "There is no affect on the growth and yield of wheat crop. Rather, the prevailing weather conditions will help increase grain yield potential (tillering stage), thus increasing yield of the crop during harvesting," he said.
However, such weather conditions continuing for a longer period can harm growth and thus affect the yield, said agriculture development officer Jasvir Singh Gumti.
He also appealed to the farmers not to spray urea in such conditions. "We have been receiving reports that farmers are resorting to excessive use of urea, fearing that extreme cold could affect their crop. Farmers should apply light irrigation and spray manganese sulphate instead," he said.
{{/usCountry}}He also appealed to the farmers not to spray urea in such conditions. "We have been receiving reports that farmers are resorting to excessive use of urea, fearing that extreme cold could affect their crop. Farmers should apply light irrigation and spray manganese sulphate instead," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, farmers have been instructed to keep a tab on temperature on daily basis.