Postpone harvesting of matured crops, IMD's advice to farmers

Askes Tillers Of J&K, Himachal, U'khand, Assam, Meghalaya & Arunachal To Keep Harvest Safe

New Delhi: In view of the cur- rent weather condition, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday advised farmers to postpone harvesting of matured crops in Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, and keep already-harvested produce in safe places or cover them in the field with tarpaulin sheets. The country as a whole has recorded 29% more than normal cumulative rain- fall, so far, in March.

Though rainfall, thunderstorms and hailstorm activities are likely to decrease in most of the areas in northwest India from Sunday, the current weather conditions due to Western Disturbances have already damaged standing crops, including wheat and mustard, in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar pradesh and Rajasthan.

So far, central India has reported maximum rainfall in March with 207% more cumulative rain- fall than normal in the month, followed by peninsular India (119% more) and east & northeast India (22% more). Northwest India has on the other hand, recorded a 17% deficit as of now despite having rainfall activities in the past seven days.

"The two rounds of hailstorm and rains with high wind speeds in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh resulted in the loss of Rabi (winter sown) crops, which are principal crops in these are- as. The damage in wheat and mustard crops is extensive in Bundelkhand region. It also affected vegetable crops, specifically carrots around the National Capital Region (NCR)," said Sudhir Panwar, agriculture expert who keeps a close watch on the farming operations in the region.

Panwar, professor at Lucknow University and former member of the UP-Planning Commission, said, "Farmers need swift evaluation of crop loss and immediate compensation as they are facing economic hard- ship in preparation of next crops and meeting daily expenditure. Impact of climate change on agriculture needs a focused approach to develop climate resilience crops for food security."

Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted that rainfall, thunderstorm hailstorm activities are likely over northeast, east and adjoining central and peninsular India in the next three days.