Rain forecast worries farmers

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 15

Unseasonal rainfall in Punjab over the past week and a forecast of more showers in the days ahead have put the rabi crop, especially wheat, at risk. It raises fears of more distress among farmers.

The Met Department has predicted rainfall on April 16 and 17, but the district administration has not made any proactive arrangements to save the produce from getting rot. Tonnes of wheat is lying in the open because the district administration is unable to lift the crop. Farmers seem to be in a tight spot as procurement agencies have already rejected to procure, citing excess moisture.

Despite the Met Department’s forewarning of light showers and lot of procured wheat lying uncovered, farmers at the market allege that the district administration is taking things lightly.

The nasty weather has already wreaked havoc for wheat growers across the region, forcing many farmers to adopt contingency plans to salvage damaged crops.

With eight acres of his land yet to be cultivated, frightened Sant Singh stands in grain jte market with fear because he thinks that the rain would play a spoilsport once again in the last phase of the wheat season.

Untimely rain has already delayed the ongoing procurement season. Farmers in the grain market said the fear of rain in the coming days was giving them sleepless nights.

The Met Department has indicated light rain showers on April 16 and medium rainfall on April 19. Teary-eyed Sant Singh told The Tribune, “Nowadays, the fear of rain is giving bad dreams to farmers. I hope and pray that there is no more rain in this last phase of the wheat season.”

Another farmer, Karnail Singh, said, “I hope it does not rain in next 24 hour so as to get time to harvest the remaining crop. We were not informed well in time about the rainfall.”