Rain raises hope of bumper wheat crop, farmers rejoice

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Moga, February 12

With rain lashing various districts of Malwa and other parts of the state today, farmers’ hopes of a bumper wheat yield have got a boost.

Farm scientist Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar said the rain at this time would be beneficial for the crop. He advised the farmers to check waterlogging in their fields and visit the fields on a regular basis to ward-off any fungal infection in the plants.

“If the rainy spell prolongs, there could be chances of yellow rust (fungal disease on wheat crop) attack on the crop,” he said.

Farmers, who have been waiting for rain for the past many weeks, said the showers were like a tonic for wheat and mustard crops.

Balwinder Singh of Daroli Bhai village in the district said the rain had provided a big relief to them. He said: “We have irrigated the crop around two weeks ago. The timely rain will help in the second irrigation.”

It may be mentioned that during the rabi season, most parts of Malwa had missed rainfall in December and January.

There are also reports of winds blowing along with rain in some parts of Moga, Ferozepur and Fazilka districts, but there is no report of any damage to wheat and other crops, agriculture officials say.

Dr Brar said: “The late-sown mustard crop will also benefit from the current spell, but there can be some adverse impact on the early-sown crop, which is nearing maturity.”

Winds cause damage

There are reports of cyclonic winds causing damage to property and vehicles at Fatehgarh Panchtoor and its adjoining villages in Dharamkot sub-division of Moga district. Boundary walls of a few houses collapsed and tin sheds blew away. Some trees on the roadsides were also uprooted. However, no loss of human life and livestock was reported. The district authorities have sought a report on property damage.