Relief for farmers, fruit growers

Our Correspondent

Nurpur, December 12

The intermittent rain, which lashed the lower Kangra areas for the second day today, intensified cold wave conditions in the valley.

However, farmers here heaved a sigh of relief as they had been waiting for rain for the past one month. Those who had sown wheat crop a few days ago without awaiting rain were all smiles. Only 10 to 20 per cent rabi crops have been sown in the absence of rain.

The winter rain is also being considered beneficial for vegetable and fruit crops in the region. Citrus fruit crops like orange, kinnow, lemon and malta will get a boost now and their quality will be improved. Wheat is cultivated on 94,500 hectares in the district. Most of the cultivable land depends on rain for sowing crops.