Dry spell brings down wheat yield, Haryana farmers seek Rs 500 bonus

Karnal, April 15

The early dry spell has crushed the hopes of farmers of bumper production as it has reduced wheat production by 4-8 quintals per acre.

Farmers say the sudden rise of temperature in March has not only shrunk the grains, but also resulted in less production.

“I have sold wheat crop of four acres. I got an average production of 15 quintals per acre. It was 23 quintals per acre last year. Due to this less production, I have incurred a loss of around Rs 16,000 per acre,” said Rajinder, a farmer.

Similarly, Ajmer, another farmer, said that he has harvested wheat on 5.5 acres. The average production this time is 16.5 quintals per acre. Last year, it was 22 quintals per acre. The shrinking of grains has resulted in lower weight, he claimed.

Amit Kumar, a farmer from Shahpur, said that his average wheat production is 18 quintals per acre. It was 23.5 quintals during last season.

Vijay Kapoor, a progressive farmer, said that he has harvested wheat crop on 30 acres and the average yield is 17.5 quintals per acre, which is around five quintals less than last year. “The MSP of wheat is Rs 2,015 per quintal. Due to low yield, I suffered a loss of Rs 10,000 per acre,” he added.

He demanded a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal from the government as farmers have suffered huge loss due to this fluctuation in temperature.

He said that the government has fixed an average yield of 25 quintals per acre on Meri Fasal, Mera Byora portal, but the production so far has shattered the hopes of farmers.

Give relief for crops gutted by fire

• Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed concern over fire incidents in wheat fields all over the state.
• He demanded a compensation of at least Rs. 25,000 per acre to the farmers.
• “Fire broke out in many places due to thunderstorm, short circuit and other reasons,” he said.