‘Pulses, oilseeds in Bundelkhand worst affected by rain’

LUCKNOW :Heavy rain in several districts of Uttar Pradesh has hit standing crops, giving farmers much to worry about.

Pulses and oilseeds, chiefly grown in Bundelkhand, suffered the maximum damage since the otherwise arid region received excess rainfall this time, resulting in floods in many areas, farmers said. Pulses also ran the additional risk of fungus, they added. “Since pulses and oilseeds need little irrigation, the excess rains may damage them the most in Bundelkhand,” said Shailendra Awasthi, a young progressive farmer of Asmanpur village in Bahraich district. He said the risk was greater for standing crops in waterlogged fields.

He also said maize crop, as well as sugarcane, was getting flattened by heavy rain and wind. “I fear the production of pulses and oilseeds, as well as maize, may decline by 50% this year,” he added. Crop damage is also noticeable in half-a-dozen other districts, including, Ghazipur, Auraiya, Jalaun, Hamirpur and Ballia that are flooded either because of excess rains or overflowing rivers. Varanasi and Prayagraj districts too face a flood-like situation. Additional director, agriculture, Rajesh Gupta said the situation was not that bad so far.

“Heavy rain does have an adverse impact on the crops, but other crops are not much affected.” “On the contrary, paddy farmers have saved on irrigation due to rain,” he says.

Both Awasthi and Gupta said the delayed rains may be beneficial for the Rabi crop, especially wheat, that may find the required moisture in the soil for growth. “But if the moisture is much, it may delay the potato sowing,” Awasthi said.

September rain has been the maximum in eastern UP and Bundelkhand followed by the Central region. It has come as a boon for the western region that witnessed below normal rainfall between June and September.

Ghaziabad and Shamli received below 40% of the normal rainfall so far.