Punjab : Late wheat sowing may hit yield, farmers worried
Farmers in Ludhiana are worried about wheat yield due to delayed sowing caused by late paddy procurement, fertiliser shortages, and high temperatures. The delay extends the harvesting period, exposing crops to heat, resulting in shriveled grains and reduced productivity. Both early and late sowing face challenges, with potential yield losses and concerns about temperature during harvest.
After going through perils of paddy procurement, farmers are now worried about wheat crop as sowing has been delayed this year and it can affect its yield.
The delay in sowing can hit the crop’s productivity by extending the harvesting period, exposing the crop to heat conditions, resulting in shrivelled grain and low productivity. Various factors can be attributed to late sowing, this year, including tardy lifting of paddy, shortage of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser and high temperature.
“Paddy crop was standing in my fields when the time was optimum for wheat sowing. Since paddy was not being lifted from the market, I waited to harvest the crop and had to water it as the field was getting dry. The problem that I am facing now is that there is too much moisture in the field and we have not seen sun for the past few days due to prevailing weather conditions. I am left with no other option but to wait for a few more days for wheat sowing,” said farmer Baljit Singh from Lalton Kalan village.
Another farmer, Sukhpal Singh, from Issewal village, who retired as chief agriculture officer, said late paddy purchase had resulted in late sowing. “Fields are still full of moisture and if wheat is sown now, it will result in low yield. Those who have sown wheat during the normal period of November 1 to 15 can also face issues as temperature at that time was high, which led to early germination. As no tilling took place, yield will be low. If temperature rises at the time of harvesting, it can result in shrivelled grains and hence, low yield. Early sown or late sown, famer can face issues both ways,” he said.
BKU (Lakhowal) president Harinder Singh Lakhowal said late sowing meant low yield. Delay by one week results in two quintal less yield and now farmers were praying that the temperature does not rise at the time of harvesting.
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Source : Tribune
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