More rain can damage potato crop, other vegetables: Experts

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Nabha, December 13

The recent rain has brought smiles on the faces of farmers as it would prove beneficial for wheat crop as well as potato growers in this sub-division.

However, agriculture experts warned that if there is more rain, it would cause considerable damage to potato crop and other vegetables. They said more rains would also damage wheat crop fields that had been irrigated recently.

The area had witnessed 19.11mm rainfall recently, which was not only beneficial for wheat crop but also potato crop. The farmers have recently irrigated their wheat fields and if there was more rain it would cause damage to wheat as well as potato crop.

In view of the unpredictable weather conditions, fearing more rain farmers have urged the state government to fix the minimum support price (MSP) for potato and other vegetables on the lines of wheat and paddy to save them from any financial losses. Farmers Tejinder Singh and Ranjit Singh said last year the farmers had suffered huge financial losses as they had to sell potatoes for Rs 1 per kg in the market.

Agriculture officer Dr Gurmeet Singh said 19mm rainfall was recorded recently which was beneficial for wheat crop as well as other vegetables.

He said if there was more rain, the recently watered wheat crop and potato and other vegetables would suffer a considerable damage. Potato fields had received sufficient water and there was no need to irrigate the fields till the soil absorbs water.

19.11mm rainfall

The area had witnessed 19.11mm rainfall recently, which was not only beneficial for wheat but also potato crop. The farmers have recently irrigated their wheat fields and if there was more rain it would cause damage to wheat as well as potato crop.

‘Fix MSP for potato, other veggies’

In view of the unpredictable weather conditions, fearing more rain, farmers have urged the state government to fix the minimum support price for potato and other vegetables on the lines of wheat and paddy to save them from any financial losses.