JOIN USPoor weather to delay wheat harvesting
Wheat harvesting is set to get delayed by 10 to 15 days in wheat growing states of Punjab and Haryana due to untimely rain and unanticipated low temperature.
Though there were some reports of crop flattening in a few areas of Punjab due to rain, farm experts say there is not going to be any adverse impact on overall output of winter crop in both these states.
However, experts fear damage to crop if rain accompanied by thunderstorm occurs in wheat growing areas.
“There is going to be delay of more than 10 days in harvesting wheat in Punjab and Haryana due to rain and unexpected cool temperature in these parts of the country,” said Karnal-based directorate of wheat research project director Indu Sharma on Friday.
“At this time we need warm temperature for maturity of wheat crop, but it is unexpectedly remaining cool, which will certainly delay harvesting,” she said, adding that the crop in various parts of Punjab and Haryana had not ripened yet.
Wheat harvesting in Punjab and Haryana starts from April.
Maintaining that there were no reports of any major damage to wheat crop due to rain, Sharma said the prospects for wheat output are looking positive.“However, if rain with storm occurs in this region during the next few days, then there could be damage to the crop,” she said.
She said because of lodging, crops get discoloured and could be vulnerable to fungal infections. Punjab has projected wheat output of 161.59 lakh tonnes while Haryana is eyeing production of 124 lakh tonnes in the rabi season on the back of prolonged winter.
During procurement season 2013-14, Punjab and Haryana are looking to procure 140 lakh tonnes and 86 lakh tonnes of wheat respectively for the central pool.