Showers bring cheer to wheat growers in state
: The light rain on Monday has brought cheer to wheat farmers as it will help the growth of the grain, experts have said. The longish dry spell and the prevailing high temperatures had farmers worried about the health of the crop, especially the lateral varieties.
Weather department officials said rain and thundershowers have occurred in Karnal, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra,Panipat and Ambala districts, resulting in a dip in temperature.
The lowest minimum temperature in the state was recorded at 10.5°C in Karnal. Karnal and Panipat districts recorded 30mm rain; Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar districts received 20mm.
More rain is forecast tomorrow.
Haryana agriculture department deputy director Karam Chand said, “Rain is beneficial for wheat as it brings down the temperature and helps in the growth of grain.
For the next two-three weeks, the temperature will remain favourable for the crop.”
For the past week, the maximum temperature had remained above 20°C and that could have proved harmful for the crop, if there had been no rain.
“The yield may remain above 20 quintal per acre, if the ongoing weather conditions continue for few more days,” said a farmer Balbir Singh, of Karnal.
Officials expect wheat production of around 114 MT with 25.5 lakh hectares under the crop.
Rain is beneficial for wheat as it helps in the growth of grain. For the next twothree weeks, the temperature will remain favourable for the crop. KARAM CHAND, director, state agriculture department