Maize crop hit badly in Himachal
Farmers in Himachal Pradesh are struggling as severe drought and fall armyworm infestations devastate their maize crops. Despite the rainy season, minimal rainfall and parched land have left the fields dry, impacting maize and other crops like Rongi and Rajmah. Agricultural University experts are being sent to address the pest problems, while Agriculture Minister Chandra Kumar is assessing the damage. With about 85% of the state’s agriculture reliant on irrigation, the situation remains critical following similar issues in the Rabi season.
In Himachal Pradesh, farmers are grappling with a dire situation as their main Kharif crop, maize, suffers from severe drought-like conditions during what should be the rainy season. Adding to their woes, an invasion of fall armyworms is further devastating their fields.
The maize crops is withering under these dual pressures. Despite the season, the land remains parched, and the relentless fall armyworms are causing extensive damage.
A farmer from Manjra village in , Hamirpur, shares his plight: “Our maize crop has been ruined just as it began to grow.” His story is echoed by many others in the region. With hardly any significant rainfall in the past 20 days, the ground is dry, and streams and rivers have disappeared. “We have no means of irrigation,” he lamented, describing the situation.
For villagers agriculture is a lifeline. Currently, their main crop is maize, but they are also struggling with the impacts on other crops like Rongi, Rajmah, and Maash, not to mention their vegetable gardens. “The weather has been harsh on us,” notes another farmer from the region.
In response, experts from the Agricultural University are being sent to affected areas to find ways to combat the pests. Meanwhile, Chandra Kumar, Agriculture Minister of Himachal Pradesh, is overseeing assessments of the crop damage caused by the lack of rain and moisture.
“We need to understand the full impact,” the Agriculture Minister urges, highlighting that these challenges are widespread across the state. The winter had already brought drought-like conditions, affecting Rabi crops, and now, during the rainy season, the newly planted Kharif crops are drying up. With about 85 percent of the state’s agricultural area relying on irrigation, the situation is critical.
Source Link : https://www.himachalheadlines.com/news/maize-crop-hit-badly-in-himachal/
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