Dir Agriculture says teams working with agriculture scientists, department to issue advisories weekly
Srinagar, Apr 11 (KNS): The dry weather conditions have triggered panic among farmers across the Kashmir Valley, stating that it will affect sowing of paddy seeds.
Farmers who are already late in sowing their crop expect no respite as sunny days and scorching heat seems to give no relief to these poor farmers, who depend on these crops to make ends meet.
Those who had earlier been storing paddy greens by the end of March had expected rain in the first week of April, but with the sky showing little hope of clouds, the farmers sense trouble ahead.
An official from metrological department told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that against normal rainfall of 188mm in March the region has received just 21.3 mm precipitation, recording a shortfall of more than 80%.
"The rainfall received during the month of March has been the lowest ever in the last four decades. To add to farmers’ woes, things aren’t looking encouraging this month either – the month that usually sees maximum rainfall," he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood control (I&FC),Er Naresh Kumar told KNS that they are in touch with the Meteorological Department to see when the next forecast is and only they they can take a decision.
"In case there will be no chances of any major forecast for next 2-3 weeks, there may be an issue that we can provide water to only limited farmers and it will be difficult for us to provide water to tail enders," he said.
He also said that the absence of rainfall in the coming 2-3 weeks may force them to issue an advisory to farmers not to go for sowing of seeds.
When contacted, director Agriculture, Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, told KNS that they are working on it day and night and the department will issue advisory on a weekly basis.
"Several teams are working on plans with agriculture scientists to tackle the situation. The current climate scenario is a challenge and could have potential impact on various agriculture activities, therefore, we have to strategize our field activities and interventions in order to experience minimum impact of the prevailing climatic conditions," he added. (KNS)