Harvest delayed, ‘don’t panic’ appeal

Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 18

Widespread rainfall in different parts of Punjab over the past 48 hours has left farmers worried about the disposal of their produce. Besides fearing a week’s delay in harvesting, farmers are also apprehensive that the procurement agencies will raise objections about high moisture content in their produce.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh ordered a “special girdawari” for assessment of crop damage to award compensation.

Reports from Amritsar said heavy showers, coupled with hailstorm, had damaged wheat crop across the district. Vegetable crops in Jandiala, Verka and Tarsikka villages had also been affected.

Farmers of Kotla Nihang, Garewal, Majari Jattan, Manak Majra, Thona, Agampur, Nikkuwal and Lodhipur of Ropar district complained about delayed harvesting due to rain.

Nishan Singh of Chabba village said, “Humid conditions after the rain have brought along pests. This will make us spend more on our crops.”

Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur, Qadian, Dinanagar, Fatehgarh Churian, Batala and Sri Hargobindpur were the worst-affected blocks in Gurdaspur. Crop was also affected in parts of Bathinda, Sangrur and Muktsar. There have been reports of canal breaches in Abohar.

However, Prof PS Pangli, president of the Borlaug Farmer Association, said there had been no widespread damage to crops, only the harvesting had been delayed. Balbir Singh Rajewal of BKU said crops were damaged only at places that witnessed hailstorm. “Farmers need not panic,” he said.

Farmers in Nurmahal area of Jalandhar have, meanwhile, approached the Agriculture Department with complaints of crop damage.

Kulbir Singh of Shadipur village said he sowed wheat on 40 acres, of which 25 acres had been affected. Ajmer Singh of Talwan said, “The quality of grain has suffered and the yield will be hit.”

However, Director, Agriculture, Sutantar Kumar Airi, said, “Rainfall was not intermittent at majority of the places, so there is no crop loss worth a mention. In fact, Abohar, Fazilka and Muktsar areas, which witnessed late sowing, will benefit. There has been an average rainfall of 15 mm, so there is no major impact. Only the ripened crop has fallen and that too can be easily managed.”

Chandigarh Met Department Director Dr Surinder Pal said, “The weather will be clear from tomorrow, so farmers need not worry.”