Farmers jittery over prolonged dry spell

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 8

The prolonged dry spell with 92 per cent deficit rain from October 1 to December 7 is causing anxiety to farmers as 80 per cent Rabi sowing is complete and immediate rain is essential for good crop.

As most parts are rainfed, farmers sow Rabi crop in November but this year, the crop has not been sown in several areas and if rain is further delayed, sowing will be affected, harming the prospects of good crop.

Hamirpur and Lahaul and Spiti have received 99 per cent deficit rain while the shortfall in Kinnaur, Kangra and Kullu is 97 per cent, 94 per cent and 92 per cent. Chamba, Shimla and Sirmaur have received 89 per cent, 87 per cent and 83 per cent less rain.

The Met office has predicted dry weather in lower and mid hills for the next six days and rain or snow at isolated hills in higher hills on December 10 and 11. “The situation is not much worrisome so far but if rain is delayed further, it would affect the Rabi crop, especially wheat but fodder will not be hit, said Director, Agriculture, Ramesh Chand.

“We are praying to the weather God as rain is needed for moisture to nurture the wheat crop,” said Kanshi Ram, who has sown wheat in two bighas near Darlaghat.

The total area under cultivation has been increased from 7.72 lakh hectares to 7.95 lakh hectares and the area under Rabi sowing was 3.77 lakh hectares which included 3.57 lakh hectares under wheat, 23,000 hectares under barley and 8,000 hectares under pulses. Timely rain is crucial for good crop as more than 60 per cent area under cultivation was rainfed but it will not affect vegetables as areas under vegetables are irrigated. The wheat production was 4.94 lakh MT last year but the target has been enhanced to 6.50 lakh MT for 2016-17. Similarly, the target for barley has been increased from 26,000 MT to 38,000 MT and for pulses from 2,400 MT to 5,000 MT.