With untimely rain and heavy wind lashing in the region, farmers are worried about loss to the wheat crop. There has been extensive damage to the crop in a few areas. Heavy rain on Saturday evening heightened apprehensions. This comes close on the heels of pest attack that damaged vast swathes of cotton crop in Punjab, leading to heavy losses and a string of farmer suicides. The wheat crop is in the stage of maturity. Rain and wind coming at this time could cause loss to the crop. The unexpected rains that lashed a large part of north and central India in the last two days have spelled doom for farmers, as reports of extensive damage to crops are pouring in from many states. March and April are the months when the Rabi crop is harvested, but the rain in the last two days, accompanied by strong winds, has dashed the hopes of many farmers. The immediate effect of heavy rains in the entire north Indian region is evident in the vegetable and fruit markets. Vegetable prices are rising by 25 to 30 per cent in the wholesale markets due to short supply. Wheat export has already seen a drop of 36 per cent from April to December this year in comparison to same period in 2013. Widespread rainfall and thunderstorms in many parts of northern, western and central India in the past few weeks have adversely affected the yield of wheat, mustard and black gram. The ravaged and rain rotten wheat is therefore expected to lose its sheen in international market where other countries are already eating up India’s wheat export share with much lower prices. Flattened wheat crop and waterlogged fields across Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been reported. Almost 10-20 per cent of wheat crop is expected to face the brunt of untimely rain in northwest India. Inclement weather has ravaged wheat crops across the country and sent alarms among the farming community. Though not much rain has lashed the area at present but if this continues, there may be losses.
