Dry spell delays wheat sowing in Kangra

Drought-like conditions have emerged in Kangra due to dry weather for almost one and a half months, disrupting the ongoing rabi sowing season. Wheat cultivation, which typically picks up pace in November, has been slow in several areas due to the lack of rainfall.

According to the Meteorological Department, the state has recorded 89 per cent below normal rainfall in November, leaving fields parched at a crucial stage of sowing during the rabi season. As a result, wheat sowing has been slow in Kangra in the current rabi season as compared to previous years.

Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, Kuldeep Dhiman said that the optimal sowing of wheat was done from October 15 to November 15. However, due to no rainfall during this period, sowing had been delayed. The dry spell may continue up to December 15, leading to reduced yields.

He said that the Agriculture Department was providing wheat seeds to farmers at a subsidy of Rs 10 per kilogram applicable to all categories of farmers. The sale price of wheat seeds had been fixed at Rs 40 per kilogram with a Rs 10 per kilogram subsidy on it. “A total of 28,327 quintals of seeds have been distributed to farmers for the 2025-26 rabi season while 2,260 quintals are available in the stock, as on date,” he added.

Dhiman said that the total seed demand depended on various factors, including rainfall and the market price. Many farmers visited the centres of the Agriculture Department only after receiving adequate rainfall, which not only delayed sowing but also created an artificial shortage of seeds.

Dhiman said, “Kangra district has nearly one lakh hectares of cultivable land and 92,000 hectares of which come under wheat cultivation. Only 36 per cent of the district has irrigation facilities, forcing a majority of farmers to rely on rainfall.”

He said, “The farmers of Kangra district have sown wheat seeds in 46,000 hectares, around 50 per cent of the total area.” He added that nine varieties of wheat seeds, including DBW-187, DBW-222, HD-3226, PBW-550, DBW-303 and HD-3086, were available this year. The seeds were being supplied not only through Krishi Vigyan Kendras but also via Krishi Seva Cooperative Societies. “Farmers can purchase wheat seeds from these sale points by presenting their Aadhaar cards,” he added.