Untimely rain adds to woes of farmers in Haryana

March 30 2020

Amid Covid, unseasonal rain in the region on Friday triggered fears about damage to standing crops. Farmers are already battling labour shortage for harvesting due to the lockdown.

As per information, wheat has been cultivated in around 1.75 lakh hectares in the district. At this time, the wheat is at the maturity stage and could be harvested in the first week of April, but the rain has delayed the harvesting. Experts said the flattening of crop may affect productivity.

Earlier in March, heavy rain had already caused losses to farmers. As many as 4,661 farmers had applied for compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana so far. The department is yet to start the process of assessment of losses to farmers due to rain in the beginning of March.

Aditya Dabas, Deputy Director, Agriculture, said they would start the assessment of losses due to rain in the first 10 days of March from Saturday. He said rain at this stage was not required for wheat crop as it was at the maturity stage.

Dabas said the rain would wash away the effect of aphid insect on the wheat crop. The farmers would not have to spray insecticides.Vijay Kapoor, state general secretary, Kisan Welfare Club, said the government must ensure that farmers got compensation for the loss.


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

Source: Tribune India