Lack of canal water for sowing cotton worries Bhiwani farmers

Sat Singh

Tribune News Service

Bhiwani, May 19

Following large scale losses due to the unseasonal weather, farmers are a worried lot in the absence of canal water to sow the cotton crop. Cotton is sown in over 55,000 hectares in the district.

“The two main canals - Sunder branch and Jui canal are dried up and water is awaited by farmers to irrigate their land for sowing cotton,” said Deputy Director, Agriculture, Atma Ram Godara.

Virender Singh of Rewari Khera village here said that he was waiting for canal water for nearly a month after wheat was harvested crop. “The sowing season starts from the first week of May but almost a month later the canals are empty,” he added.

Harpal Kumar of Jatai village said the late sowing of cotton directly impacts the rotation of crops. “If cotton is sown late, it will face problem at the ripening stage,” he added.

Dr. Attar Singh, head of Krishi Vighan Kendra, said, “Late sowing affects the productivity of crop. As a resultant the next crop will be sown late and it will affect the yield also”.

Officials in the Agriculture Department said that they expect canal water to run to capacity before the end of this month.

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