Heavy rain in the city and surrounding areas have brought back chill in the air and trouble for farmers as it has led to waterlogging in the fields. Even vegetable growers are a troubled lot as the sowing of vegetables has further been delayed.

The vegetable growers start sowing seeds after mid February but as it rained almost every week, the seeds failed to germinate due to increased moisture. “After rain, it takes around seven days for the moisture to fall and to prepare fields for sowing the crop. However, if it rains, the farmers would have to repeat the process again,” said vegetable grower Kashmir Singh.

Rain lashed the city for three days in the previous week and with the weatherman predicting rain for two more days, the sowing of vegetable would be delayed. Wheat growers fear that strong winds, along with the rain, would flatten the crop which would adversely affect the quality and production.

Another farmer, Kuljit Singh, said, “Farmers have not yet come to terms with crop damage by heavy rain and hailstorms last week. Now, it has rained again and it would not prove good for the crop.” Vegetable sellers said delay in vegetable sowing could result in high prices of veggies in the beginning of the summer season.

Farmer leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said, “The season has witnessed more rain as compared to the similar period previous years. It resulted in losses to farmers as some had to sow wheat twice or even thrice due to bad weather. Now, when the wheat is about to ripe and harvest would begin after 20 days, rain is not good for the crop.” He said the government should introduce a crop insurance scheme to help farmers who suffer losses due to vagaries of weather.

This news has not been edited by Apni Kheti staff but has been published by various news feeds

Source: Tribune India