Farmers claim dip in paddy yield; experts say too early to comment
From around 31 quintal per acre, we are now getting a yield of 24 -25 quintal. Excess rain this year, and faulty seeds are the most probable causes. SHINGARA SINGH MANN, president, BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan)
BATHINDA: Farmers in the district claim that there has been a dip in paddy yield by around 20% (6-8 per acre quintal reduction) over last year. District president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) Shingara Singh Mann said, “From around 31 quintal per acre, we are now getting a yield of 24 -25 quintal. We are not sure about the reason, but excess rain this year, and faulty seeds are the most probable causes.” He added, “Farmers should be compensated for the loss as this is the result of unfavourable weather conditions.”
Balbir Singh, a farmer from Kotshamir town, said, “I had grown paddy on seven acre and with the MSP of ₹1,815 per quintal, my loss is over ₹10,000.”
Another farmer, Avtar Singh, from Gulabgarh village, said he had taken land for paddy cultivation on lease but due to the lower yield, he would find it tough to pay the land owner.
BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur) president Baldev Singh Sandoha said prolonged heat could be a reason for the lower yield. “The downfall in yield is more in hybrid variety, compared to others. Farmers should be compensated by either Punjab or the Centre for the loss,” he claimed. “We haven’t done any analysis on paddy yield yet and it might fluctuate depending on area and variety. It is too early to comment,” said Gurjeet Singh Mangat, head, department of plant breeding and genetics, Punjab Agricultural University. “The picture will be clear only after the harvest is complete,” he added.
Agriculture department director Sutantar Kumar Airi said, “Procurement agencies have bought 95 lakh tonne of paddy by October 29, against 88 lakh tonne in the corresponding period last year. Overall paddy production will be good.” He sais paddy yield varied each year from region to region in state depending on weather conditions and the variety of seeds sown.