Why are paddy farmers worried about the yield this year?

With the paddy crop reaching the grain markets, farmers have been reporting a yield loss due to various diseases and waterlogging in the agricultural fields this year. The farmers said the southern rice black streaked dwarf virus and untimely rains affected the crop, and now the false smut, a fungal disease, has attacked the standing paddy crop. The farmers in the grain markets have been reporting an average yield of 20-22 quintal, while last year there was a yield of 34-35 quintal per acre.

Why are paddy farmers worried?

As per the paddy farmers earlier, the southern rice black streaked dwarf virus affected the crop. The plant growth was stunted by the virus, resulting in poor nutrition intake and poor development, which led to yield loss. Then, untimely rains and continuous flow of river water through the agricultural fields caused damage and now the false smut disease is being detected in the fields, and it will also impact the yield and quality of the grain.

What is false smut in paddy crop?

False smut is a fungal disease, and it affects the yield and quality of the grain in paddy crop. As per the Agriculture Department false smut has been detected in the hybrid varieties. It has been detected in Naraingarh, Saha and Barara of Ambala, and in Pehowa and Thanesar of Kurukshetra. High humidity and temperatures below 30 degrees are favourable conditions for false smut. The impact of the disease on the yield depends on its intensity in the field. Individual rice grain is transformed into a mass of yellow fruiting bodies.

What measures have the farmers taken?

The farmers said they tried different sprays to control the spread of false smut, but there were no positive results. The disease has attacked the crop at the flowering stage and prevention was very important. But due to untimely rains, the spray of fungicide was not done in time. The farmers said they were staring at heavy losses this year. Though the disease affected the crop every year, this year, the intensity of the attack was higher. The government and agriculture experts should find a permanent solution and protect the farmers from losses.

What is the advisory of the Agriculture Department?

The Agriculture Department officials have advised the farmers not to use any spray or try to disturb the crop, as it will lead to further spread of the disease. The crop will suffer discolouration, and it will also impact the yield. The false smut can’t be controlled at this stage, and since the harvesting has started, the farmers are advised not to use spray, which will be ready for harvesting in 5-10 days. The use of fungicide spray at this stage will only lead to an increase in the cost of production.