Karnal: Inclement weather set to delay wheat harvesting - Hindustan Times
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Karnal: Inclement weather set to delay wheat harvesting

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Joshi, Karnal
Mar 30, 2015 07:26 PM IST

Inclement weather conditions during the past 36 hours in various parts of Haryana that may continue for a few more days have left the farmers worried in agrarian districts in north region of the state.

Inclement weather conditions during the past 36 hours in various parts of Haryana that may continue for a few more days have left the farmers worried in agrarian districts in north region of the state.

Farmers-clear-rain-water-from-their-flooded-wheat-field-on-the-outskirts-of-Amritsar-AFP-Photo
Farmers-clear-rain-water-from-their-flooded-wheat-field-on-the-outskirts-of-Amritsar-AFP-Photo

Experts said that rainfall at this stage is harmful for wheat crop and the weather may delay harvesting by more than 10 days this year.

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Karnal and its adjoining wheat growing districts of Kaithal, Yamunanagar and Kurukshetra have witnessed mild rainfall ranging between 3 mm to 6 mm since Sunday morning.

Indu Sharma, director of Karnal-based Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research told Hindustan Times on Monday that the yield was likely to be hit as wheat crop would not be able to revive after rains and winds at this stage.

She said that showers would increase moisture level which would further lead to black point or discolouration of wheat grains.

"Wheat grain is almost matured and rains or hailstorm doubled with winds would flatten crops. Heavy rainfall may lead to shattering of grains on the ground and rains at this stage mean only loss to crop," said Sharma.

Nirmal Singh, a wheat grower from Assandh in Karnal district, said that the frequent showers over the past one month would hit the yield in the region.

"The metrological department has predicted more rains in the days to come, which means more loss to the farming community by way of low yield and poor quality of grains," he said.

However, Sharma urged farmers to desist from panic harvesting of crop.

"Those farmers who resort to manual harvesting should allow standing wheat crop to dry in the fields before cutting. If harvested crop stacked in the fields has higher moisture content in grain or the stacks get drenched due to more spells of showers, the entire stock may be infested with fungal infection," she said.

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