The recent untimely rains and hailstorms in Haryana have caused significant damage to the wheat crops. Officials from the state’s agriculture department have estimated that the production of wheat may be reduced by up to 20%, resulting in losses for farmers.
According to the officials, the rain has affected nearly 59.10 lakh acres of wheat cultivation in the state. The mustard crops have also been impacted, with an estimated production of 14 LMT for this year, down from 18.15 lakh acres of mustard cultivation. This is a serious blow for farmers who were hoping for an average production rate of 20 quintals per acre but now may only get 3-4 quintals per acre in many fields.
Farmer leaders have expressed their concerns over the impact of the rain and hailstorm on the quality of the wheat and its harvesting. The crops have been flattened, making it difficult to harvest them, and this may lead to further losses. They are also worried about accurate assessment of the losses in their crops, as officials tend to underestimate the damage.
This is not the first time that farmers in the state have faced losses due to rain and disease. In the past five consecutive crops, including two crops of wheat and three crops of cotton and paddy, farmers have suffered losses. While mustard crops gave them good returns last year, this year, they are expected to suffer losses.
The CM Manohar Lal Khattar has directed the DCs to complete the girdawari work by April 15 so that compensation can be transferred to the accounts of farmers by May. However, farmers are still worried about the accuracy of the assessment and the compensation they will receive.
