Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Freak weather may hit kharif crop too: Experts

Freak weather may hit kharif crop too: Experts

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Apr 10, 2015   modified Modified on Apr 10, 2015
-The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Changiram, a farmer from Kota's Darbheeji village, had sown his four-hectare land with wheat, investing around Rs 80,000 in seeds, fertilizers and labour. He expected to earn around Rs 4 lakh. But unseasonal rains and hailstorms in March damaged more than 70% of his crop, leaving him insolvent and staring at a bleak future.

Changiram's plight mirrors that of tens of thousands of farmers across the country whose crops have been damaged as a result of unseasonal wet weather since mid-February.

Rajasthan alone has suffered estimated losses of nearly Rs 8,574 crore, forcing chief minister Vasundhara Raje to seek Rs 8,252 crore as central relief.

In a revised estimate released on Wednesday, the Centre said unseasonal rains and hailstorms had affected rabi crops in more than 85 lakh hectares. While wheat is at the centre of the crisis, with losses calculated at more than Rs 7,000 crore, other rabi crops such as barley, mustard, pulses and potatoes to have taken a hit. Experts say small and marginal farmers may have lost as much as 50% of their rabi and horticulture crops.

The impact of the freak weather may well go beyond the current crops. Experts warn it could affect the kharif yield too. "It has definitely increased moisture in the soil and farmers will have to take more care of their crops for the next sowing," said Sohan Singh, an agriculturist from Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar.

Two farmers from Pilibhit and one each from Badaun and Aonla in Uttar Pradesh were reported to have died of shock as a result of crop damage. In Haryana, a 60-year-old farmer died on Wednesday, reportedly of shock upon seeing his ruined crop. He became the fourth to die in similar circumstances in the state.

In Punjab, unseasonal showers, hailstorm and high velocity winds damaged crops, mostly wheat, over 3.48 lakh hectare land. Amritsar, Faridkot, Moga and Pathankot districts are the worst hit with an official saying the amount of damage there could be 80-100% in some parts.

Officials said wheat crop would be delayed in Punjab and the output decrease in the state by about 5% - a significant loss considering the state is the biggest contributor to the wheat pool. Punjab has sought relief package of Rs 717 crore from the Centre, claiming an estimated loss of crops over 2.6 lakh hectares worth Rs 628 crore.

Madhya Pradesh has claimed damages to the tune of Rs 14,000 crore. At least 10 farmer suicides were reported in the state. In Kerala, unseasonal rain in March affected the paddy crop when it was nearing harvest. In Maharashtra, damages across an estimated 1.71 lakh hectare area also extended to fruits such as pomegranate, grapes, mangoes and papaya.

Agricultural meteorology officials in IMD Pune said hailstorms had hit various parts of the country in four phases, with the last and the most devastating spells coming around March end.

They said this was not the first time heavy rain and hailstorms had taken place in the March-April season, but the severity of this year's weather was unprecedented in recent decades. This could be a manifestation of climate change, they said, adding a caveat that research was needed for establishing a more definitive link.

Officials, however, were more certain about the wet March weather being bad for crops.

"After March 15, wheat needs a warmer weather, so do other crops like mustard and grams. Due to high-winds associated with hail and rain, the wheat crop was lodged, resulting in damages to the grain. Crops such grapes, Nagpur oranges, cashewnut in Ratnagiri and Alphonsos have succumbed to pests like downy mildew due to the high moisture," an official said.

Meerut's Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Agricultural University professor Ashok Ahluwalia suggested new research keeping in mind changes in weather patterns. "We need new variety of crops and strategy to counter the impact of new kind of insects that are set to evolve with new living conditions."


The Times of India, 9 April, 2015, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Freak-weather-may-hit-kharif-crop-too-Experts/articleshow/46857442.cms


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close