Untimely rain delays wheat harvesting

Untimely rain delays wheat harvesting
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 15
Though the farming community in the neighbouring state of Punjab has already started harvesting the wheat crop, farmers in the state will have to wait for a few more days, thanks to the recent spell of rain that has led to forming of moisture content in the grain.

Weather disturbance and the recent spell of rain has so far kept the temperature below normal, delaying the ripening of the golden grain across the state.

Experts of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu (SKUAST-J) and officials of the Meteorological Department termed the moisture in the air and moderate temperature as the major reason for the delay in harvesting the crop.

“A random survey of various areas, including Kathua, Samba, RS Pura, Jammu and Udhampur, revealed that only five per cent of the crop is ready to harvest and that too in Bishnah block. The rest of the crop would be ready only in May,” said an expert of SKUAST-J.

He said the fungal disease yellow rust had also affected the growth of the crop. “But now with the use of fungicides, the farmers are expecting a good yield,” the expert added.

A visit to RS Pura, Bishnah, Vijaypur and some adjoining areas reveals that the crop is yet to ripen fully. Even farmers are seen removing weeds from their fields.

“This season, everything went against us. First, the rain and then yellow rust affected the crop across the region,” said Joginder Singh of Kullian village.

He also blamed the Agriculture Department for the delay. He alleged, “Though senior officials of the department visited the fields, they did not provide any sort of assistance to us. Had they made us aware of the disease and provided adequate fertilisers and fungicides, the result would have been far better”.

The Agriculture Department, however, refuted these allegations. “Our officials spread awareness about the use of modern techniques among farmers time to time. For this purpose, 257 awareness camps and meetings were organised. Besides, 765 spray pumps were also provided to the farmers,” said a senior official of the Agriculture Department.

He added, “This year, the standing wheat crop in the region was expected to reach 4,92,000 MT”.

The Meteorological Department also forecasted that the day temperature would increase in the next few days.