Farmers upbeat after rain, expect high yield

Bathinda, January 8

The short spell of rain over the past four days, coupled with dip in temperature, would be beneficial for wheat and other crops in the Malwa region, said experts.

Suspend cotton purchase

Cotton purchase was suspended at the new grain market in Abohar on Saturday as traders reportedly turned down farmers’ demand to pay Rs1,000 per quintal more than the prevailing price (Rs 9,500).

Farmers, especially wheat growers in the region, are upbeat after the recent spell of mild to moderate showers that lashed Bathinda and Mansa. The experts said if the shower lasted long, it could affect the yield. As per the Meteorology Department, the minimum temperature recorded in Bathinda was 11.8 °C and the maximum was 16.4 °C. The district experienced 20.4-mm rain on Saturday till 8 am.

Guradita Brar, an agricultural expert, said, “There could not have been a better time for rain than now, as the wheat crop is in vegetative growth stage. This rain is quite conducive to plant's growth and it will also strengthen its parts later, resulting in good yield.”— TNS