E-Paper
Winds, rain likely in coming days, wheat farmers worried
Even as the ongoing weather conditions may have created panic among farmers, the sudden dip in mercury followed by light showers may prove beneficial to the wheat crop, which is currently in its maturing stage.
Even as the ongoing weather conditions may have created panic among farmers, the sudden dip in mercury followed by light showers may prove beneficial to the wheat crop, which is currently in its maturing stage.
Agriculture experts are only worried that strong winds coupled with heavy rain and hailstorms in the coming days can wreak havoc on the crop, and affect the quality of grain besides bringing down the production levels.
The meteorological department has predicted heavy rainfall and strong winds in the coming two days.
The crop has been flattened in many parts of the region due to heavy rainfall and hailstorm last week.
Chief agriculture officer Nachhatar Singh Aulakh said the light shower may prove boon for the crop as it helps in increasing production level while the strong winds can be damaging.
Aulakh said the department is concerned about the possibility of strong winds and hailstorm-like conditions in the coming days, as it would lead to felling of standing crop, which might have an adverse affect on the growth of grain.
Wheat is sown over around 2.55 lakh hectare.
Shingara Singh, a farmer, said, “We are praying for favourable weather conditions as the farmers community in the Malwa region is already facing huge losses due to failure of cotton crop last year.”
The agricultural department is taking all precautionary measures by deploying field and technical teams to collect first-hand information on crop health.
The agricultural department has also cautioned farmers to monitor the weather conditions and inform agriculture officials in case of any crop damage.
