Punjab Farmers Likely to Face Losses with Early Maturing Wheat

The maximum temperature on Monday stood at 27.2°C while the minimum was 15.8°C. The wheat crop is in need of rainfall but the possibilities of rainfall were bleak with only chances of a light drizzle at some regions.

Wheat is maturing faster than usual and Punjab farmers are having a tough time as a result of it. The temperatures in February are high and have led to economic losses for the farmers. Moreover, experts from Punjab Agricultural University have come out and stated that rainfall seems extremely unlikely in the region in February.

The predictions released by Pavneet KAUR Kingra, HOD, Department of climate change and agricultural meteorology, show that the temperature is higher than normal in February. The maximum temperature on Monday stood at 27.2°C while the minimum was 15.8°C. The wheat crop is in need of rainfall but the possibilities of rainfall were bleak with only chances of a light drizzle at some regions.

“We are afraid that there may be large financial losses this season. There is a possibility of 30-40 percent loss if the same conditions continue forward in the following days. We are left with nothing but prayers now, everything is out of our control.” Swarnjeet Singh, the farmer from Ghulal village in Samrala stated.

Wheat requires rainfall and it is quite crucial for a proper yield. However, the entire winter passed without a single shower. Cold weather is necessary when the crop is maturing but due to the increase in temperature, it matured early.

The crop needs lower temperatures but watering the field is only leading to more damage.

“When the crops are watered; they fall down. The crop at the base is fragile while the stalk of the wheat is heavy as it has ripened early due to heat. The air is causing the crop to fall over. Now, we can only pray to God to lift us out of these dire situations.” Said Swarnjeet Singh.

“Climate change is making the life of farmers making very tough. The previous year was tough for the farmers due to losses and now we seem to be repeating the same as well. We saw the grains shriveling last year and the paddy growth was stunted as well. Now, we might as well face the fact that there will be financial losses this year as well. Last year, the temperature rose around mid-March but this year, the temperature has started rising in February,” said farmer Gurmail Singh from Maachiwara.

The general secretary of Bhartiya Kisan Union, HS Lakhiwal said that the farmers were worried.  “The crop demands rainfall but instead we are given hotter situations. But farmers are resilient, we can face tough times. The losses are likely going to 25-50% for the farmers.” Lakhowal stated.