Cold, fog threaten veggie crops, fodder

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 31

Bitter cold accompanied by fog has sent alarm bells ringing within a large section of farmers as it threatens two major vegetable crops besides green fodder in the state, say experts.

According to agricultural experts, cold weather combined with fog burns the leaves of pea and potato plants, besides affecting green fodder.

As per official estimates, the area under pea cultivation is around 1 lakh acres, while potato has been sown in 2.5 lakh acres this year.

The experts say cold alone doesn’t harm these plants, but foggy conditions and absence of sunlight restrict solar radiation, resulting in burning of plants.

However, the intense cold wave is favourable for the wheat crop as it helps in higher yield. The current conditions especially pose a threat to crops sown in November and December.

Farmers in Jalandhar area, known for potato cultivation, have expressed fear of potato blight due to extremely low temperatures.

Ashok Kumar, patron of Natural Farmers Association, says farmers are facing the problem of blight in potato because of the present weather conditions.

“Every crop needs sunlight to grow, but frost leads to stunted growth. The moisture then leads to various diseases,” he says, adding conditions may worsen if downpour accompanies low mercury.

Kirpal Singh from Musapur village in Jalandhar says 10 acres of his fields have already got affected by blight.

Satnam Sahni, spokesperson for Doaba Kisan Sangharsh Committee, says the impact is already visible on the wheat crop as growth has been minimal over the past few days.