Farmers heave a sigh of relief

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 22

The pre-monsoon showers today brought smiles on the faces of farmers in the cotton belt as it would resist the whitefly attack. The paddy farmers also had reason to smile after the sowing their crop.

Cotton farmers have been complaining of the whitefly attack though the Agriculture Department has said that the attack was mild and below the ET level. However, the rain in the region has checked the attack of whitefly.

President of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), Bathinda, Shingara Singh Mann, said, “Rain is good for the health of the crop, which would nourish at average temperature and it would also put to halt the whitefly that has been damaging the crop.”

“Last year, the entire crop in the cotton belt was damaged by whitefly and the pesticides recommended and supplied by Agriculture Department also failed to curb the attack. The cotton crop totally depends on the atmosphere and weather as too hot and too cold temperature hits it badly, affecting its yield,” he said.

“The paddy farmers will also be benefitted from today’s rain. The intense heatwave could have caused loss to farmers but rain has given a sigh of relief,” he added.

Agriculture development officer Baljinder Singh said, “The rain would prove beneficial for all the crops, including moong, cotton and paddy. The whitefly attack that was mild will also be put to an end. The farmers need not worry in any situation and should approach the agriculture officials or scouts during any problem or for guidance.”