After 3-month dry spell, rain brings cheer to farmers

Raghav Guleria

Dharamsala, December 28

Breaking a dry spell of three months, rain that started on Friday and continued today has brought a cheer to farmers in Kangra district. The downpour has provided a huge relief to the region’s agriculture and horticulture sectors. Being a significant producer of fruits, vegetables and grains, the district heavily relies on rain for irrigation. With not a drop of water from the sky for three months, the situation was going bad to worse with every passing day.

The farming community was clueless as it had waited too long to sow rabi crops. Many rainfed fields were kept fallow for ploughing and sowing of wheat and fodder crops.

”The farmers in all pockets of the district are happy after the rain lashed the region. It has come at a crucial time for crops like wheat and millets. The rain will help getting yield and eventually higher income for the farmers,” said Balbir, a progressive farmer of the district.

Vegetables like parsley, basil, lettuce, capsicum, cucumber, broccoli, brinjal, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, carrot, spinach, local potatoes and green leafy vegetables that are sown in fields are likely to benefit from the rain. Experts forecast a better yield due to this downpour. The fruit-bearing plants, especially citrus species, were getting adversely affected by the dry spell. Now, orchardists feel that the rain is likely to improve the situation.

Crops of guava, Indian gooseberry, strawberry and papaya will also benefit.

Besides benefiting the farmers, the rain has also helped recharge khuds and kuhals. Hydel projects too had registered low water levels.

A heavy snowfall on the Dhauladhars is likely to replenish water channels.