Date:07/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/07/stories/2008040754480700.htm

National

Major damage to Rabi crops feared

Special Correspondent

Untimely widespread rain in Punjab crushes hopes of a bumper harvest

Development would adversely impact the food security scenario of the country: Experts
Chief Minister seeks preliminary assessment about the damage from district authorities

CHANDIGARH: Untimely light to moderate showers that were widespread and hailstorm at a few places accompanied by high velocity winds, are feared to have caused a colossal damage to various Rabi crops, especially wheat, which was due for harvest from next week onwards.

According to official figures, 34.80 lakh hectares of land was under wheat crop alone, productivity of which was pegged at around 142 lakh tones.

While the hopes of a bumper harvest have been dampened, the prevailing conditions would adversely affect the quality of the foodgrains, experts said while expressing apprehensions that the development would adversely impact the food security scenario of the country.

The Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, Sucha Singh Langah and the Agriculture Directorate have sought preliminary assessment about the damage from the respective district authorities. Reports indicated major damage to mustard, animal fodder and vegetables as well. Some non-official agencies have feared that the losses could be around 40 per cent. Leaders of various political parties, including the Congress and farmers’ associations have demanded a special ‘Girdawari’ to assess the losses and provide for speedy relief to the farmers of the State.

Though inclement weather conditions had begun to develop since Thursday, vast stretches of fields were devastated by rains and strong winds that continued intermittently till Saturday evening.

The wheat crop, which was ripening fast, was completely flattened in most areas across Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Muktsar, Moga, Tarn Taran and Jalandhar districts.

Reports said that the mercury plummeted by a record 11 degrees against the prevailing weather conditions. In the Jagraon-Moga-Ferozepur-Tarn Taran-Nakodar belt, a hailstorm which was followed strong gales completely lodged the crop, much to the despair of the farmers.

The farmers are faced with a triple loss situation. Previously, they had to carry out an additional round of irrigation due to the dry spell that preceded the rains.

Even in areas, where there was scanty or no rainfall, strong winds flattened the crops. To salvage the produce, the farmers would now require extra labour for manual harvesting and drying of the grains.