Rain, wind dash growers’ hopes in Karnal, Ambala

Tribune News Service

Karnal, April 11

Rain accompanied with high velocity winds flattened and submerged wheat crop in several parts of the district on Wednesday.

As many as 14 farmers of the district have approached the Agriculture Department for assessment of loss. “No loss due to rain has been reported so far. We have received 14 applications from farmers to determine the loss. The fields will be checked and further action will be taken accordingly,” said Pardeep Meel, Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA).

Most of these farmers are from Nilokheri block, he said.

The DDA said wheat crop on 1.72 lakh hectare in the district had been cultivated. Of this, around 10-15 per cent had been harvested by the farmers. The rain has delayed the harvesting and the procurement process.

“I cultivated 25 acres. Wheat harvested on two acres is still lying in the fields. It could not be lifted because of rain, which has delayed further harvesting,” said Sumit Chaudhary, a farmer.

Another farmer Surinder Kumar said wheat harvesting had been delayed by 10-days.

As per the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) experts, standing crop won’t be affected by rain and wind, but unpredictable weather in the next few days could be cause of concern. “Still, there is no loss to the standing crop. Harvested wheat lying in the open in grain markets could blacken,” said Dr GP Singh, Director, IIWBR.

Ambala: Several quintal wheat got soaked in rain at the new grain market in Ambala City on Wednesday. As per reports, over 97,000 quintal wheat is yet to be lifted. They said harvesting had been delayed due to rain. Dharmendra Pal, Secretary, Market Committee, Ambala City, said, “The agencies have been asked to speed up lifting of grain.”

However, DDA Girish Nagpal, said, “There are no reports of damage to wheat. Farmers have been advised to ensure there was no standing water in the fields.”