Weather vagaries hit output of pea, potato crops

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 17

Known for producing the finest variety of pea in the country, the district has recorded a loss of 30 per cent area under the crop this season due to untimely and excessive rains.

Wazir Singh, a vegetable cultivator from Tarsikka block, said pea and potato crops were hit by vagaries of nature. Pea cultivation begins by the end of September and early October. So its production hit the market early and is supplied to major markets of North India. The local grown pea is appreciated all over the country for its sweet juicy pea.

However, unseasonal rain damaged pea and potato sowing. Later, those farmers, who sowed the seeds again, bore the brunt as the sun did not appear for a fortnight followed by spells of rain. So both crops did not receive the required nourishment.

Rattan Singh Randhawa, a farmer leader, said the farmers had to bear the brunt of losses. It was the prime reason of both fresh farm produce being sold at an exorbitant price in the market. He said the government must come forward to share the losses of farmers.