Farmers expect bumper paddy crop in Haryana
KARNAL: Paddy growers in the state have a reason to cheer as agriculture experts are expecting a bumper crop this year due to suitable weather conditions.
As per the officials in the state agriculture department, the major paddy-sowing districts of Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Panipat, Ambala and Yamunanagar witnessed heavy rainfall this season, which is considered a boon for the crop.
The farmers said the crop is healthy so far and there are no signs of any occurrence of diseases. “The crop, both lateral and earlier varieties, are healthy due to good rainfall in August. There is no bacterial attack and this is a sign of bumper crop,” said Mahinder Singh, a farmer of Nilokheri of Karnal.
The agriculture experts are of the view that if the ongoing weather conditions last for the next one month, it will help the yield. “The weather has been favourable for the crop so far and the coming month is very crucial as most of the crop will develop grains in next 15-20 days if the current weather conditions continue for the next two weeks,” said Karam Chand, deputy director, Haryana agriculture department. He said the rainfall for the past one month has increased the humidity level and brought down the temperature and these weather conditions are good for the crop.
The experts said good rainfall has not only met the irrigation needs, but reduced the risk of pest attack in the crop.
Moreover, the rainfall has helped to cut the production cost. Farmers said they did not have to spend extra on the diesel pumps to irrigate the crop, especially the basmati (long grained varieties).
GROWERS EXPECTING BETTER PRICES TOO
Though the Centre has already increased the minimum support price (MSP) for the parmal varieties to Rs 1750 per quintal, the growers are also expecting a surge in the prices of long-grained basmati varieties (which do not come under the MSP), which are purchased by private traders.
“Though the prices of basmati are not under government control, the prices of all varieties normally witness increase ahead of the election year,” said Praveen Kumar, a commission agent in Karnal.
“Paddy has already started arriving in mandis and the prices are around Rs 2,500 per quintal, appreciably higher than the usual Rs 2000 per quintal, and this is a good sign,” he added.