Rising Temperature Causing Damage to Crops in Punjab

Farmers in entire Northern India are worried due to hot weather. Continuous rise in the temperature and irregular rainfall have further resulted in poor crop quality and yield in Punjab.

According to the Padam Shri awardee and former vice-chancellor of Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), Baldev Singh Dhillon, the entire crop production plan will undergo a dramatic shift in the upcoming years as both the sowing time and the time for crop maturity are bound to be progressed or temporarily halted by the next seven days due to the constant increase in temperature.

He also said that the spectrum of research would also witness a drastic change due to the lack of funds in Punjab. In addition to this, he stated that the scientists in Punjab are on the verge of developing photo and thermo insensitive kinds of crops, however, it will still take some time to develop.

He also stated that so far the production of India has been rising in the state instead of the yield. The growth rates are going down as plants have a biological limit of yielding. Until the government inputs some advanced or new disruptive technologies in the agriculture sector, there is no hope of change.

According to Dhillon, irregular rains are also a reason for crop damage and flood-like conditions in the region. He also said that the rain at the time of wheat harvest leads to major crop damage. Generally, maize is grown in the Kharif season, when there is rain, however, excess rain can still lead to pollen wash which can result in low yielding of the crop.

The agrometeorologist and principal of Punjab Agriculture University said that the state of Punjab has witnessed a high temperature of above 40 degrees celsius after a decade in the month of March. It was caused by the long and dry season of February and March. He also added that generally, the state receives rainfall in March caused by the western disturbances.