‘Rain minus winds good for rabi crops’

Soaring temperatures in the last week of February was a cause of worry for the agricultural experts, but change in weather conditions has given them respite.

Rain in certain parts of Punjab on Wednesday morning is being perceived as good for the wheat and other rabi crops. As meteorology officials have predicted sporadic rain in the region over the next few days, agriculture department says rain without strong winds is good for crops.

Punjab, as per the present surveys and estimates is expecting a bumper crop sown over an area of 35 lakh hectares. Other than wheat, mustard and barley are other major rabi crops in the region.(HT File)

“Rain helps in lowering the temperature, which is good for better productivity. Strong winds lead to lodging of the near-mature wheat crop,” said agriculture director Balwinder Singh Sidhu.

As per surveys, Punjab is expecting a bumper harvest of wheat which is sown over 35-lakh hectares. Mustard and barley are two other rabi crops in the region. Above-normal temperature in the last week of February was a cause of worry for the agri scientists as well as farmers.

“We are happy to see clouds and rain. Lowered temperature will delay maturing of the grain, leading to a higher yield,” said Sukhwinder Singh, a farmer from Samrala.