The standing paddy crop at several places has flattened due to untimely rainfall accompanied by strong winds last night.
The produce lying in the open in the grain markets got completely drenched, resulting into a higher moisture level in the crop.
The unwanted rainfall has increased the worry of paddy farmers as the production is likely to fall and the quality of the produce will also be affected.
Rahul Sharma, a farmer from Samani village, who was at the new grain market in Thanesar to sell his produce said: “I got my crop (Pusa-1509) harvested last evening, but it got drenched in the rain and now the labourers have spread it in the grain market for drying.”
He said his crop on 2 acres had completely flattened due to strong winds and it was being harvested manually.
Bharaitya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni said: “The crops which were ready for harvesting may be damaged and it has also delayed the harvesting by nearly one week. The quality of the crop will also suffer and the state government should give some relaxation to farmers in procurement norms, besides providing compensation to them after assessing losses.”
Harvinder Bansal, a commission agent, said the arrivals had dropped drastically since Monday due to unfavorable weather conditions. However, fortunately, the produce which was procured by private millers was lifted by them in time.
He said around 700 unsold bags got drenched.
Agriculture Dept to assess losses, says official
Yamunanagar: Paddy growers are in distress as untimely rain has damaged the standing paddy crop in hundreds of acres due to waterlogging. Farmers said the matured crop had fallen in several areas and they would have to harvest it manually, paying more for it.
“The operators of harvester (machine) charge Rs1,500 per acre. But, if we get the crop harvested manually, the labour charges will be Rs3,500 per acre putting an extra financial burden on farmers,” said Satish Kumar, a farmer at Marwa village.
Deputy Director Agriculture Aditya Pratap Dabas said he would send a team to assess the loss.
Farmers under debt worried
Karnal: Rain which lashed various parts of the district last night flattened the standing paddy crop. It affected basmati-1121 variety the most.
Since the crop is about to be reaped, rain at this time can hit the output.
Amardeep Kumar, a farmer of Kunjpura village, said: “The paddy crop has been flattened in around 10 acres of land which could hit quality of grain.”
Jasmer Badthal, a farmer, said the rain could affect production by 5-7 per cent.
He said most farmers were already under a huge debt and this rain had added to their woes. The government should fix a price for their crops and start procurement.
The government should immediately order a special girdawari (assessment of loss) of the damaged crop so that farmers could be compensated suitably, demanded Rajesh Kumar, another farmer.
