Rain brings cheer to wheat growers
CHANDIGARH:The spell of rain coupled with dip in temperature in the last two days has brought cheer to wheat farmers in Punjab and neighbouring Haryana as the weather conditions are suitable for the growth of the crop, agriculture department officials said.
The rain, however, is likely to hit the late varieties of wheat.
“It is a good start for the crop as these conditions will lead to increase in photosynthesis and better growth of plants. The change in temperature after February 15 will be crucial for the crop, setting the tone for a good yield. The area under the crop this time is same as was in the last season,” said Punjab agriculture director JS Bains.
Wheat is sown over 85 lakh acres and 62.5 lakh acres in Punjab and the neighbouring state in the current rabi season.
“About 95% sowing has been done since late varieties of wheat are sown later. Though it’s good but much will depend on a variety of factors around the harvesting time in April,” said Haryana agriculture department additional director Suresh Gahlawat.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (Haryana) spokesman Rakesh Bains said areas where late varieties are being sown are parts of Yamunanagar, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Sonepat and Rohtak as potato and sugarcane crops are being harvested there.
Of the wheat sown over 85 lakh acres in Punjab, 30% (25 lakh acres) sowing was done with help of happy seeders, as per estimates by the state agriculture department. A total of 3,100 happy seeders were supplied to the farmers, during the kharif season. In major parts of the state, ICAR varieties of wheat HD 2967 and 3086 were sown.
BKU PROTESTS INCREASE IN DAP PRICE
A faction of Bharatiya Kisan Union led by Balbir Singh Rajewal has complained against sudden increase in prices of di-ammonia phosphate (DAP), a crucial input for wheat crop from ₹2,000 to ₹2,900 a quintal.
Rajewal said they will hold protest on December 17 when Punjab farmers will block state roads with their tractor-trailers to force the government to rationalise diesel prices.