Recent rain, hailstorms and strong winds in many parts of Punjab added to the miseries of growers, who were not only concerned about standing wheat and maize crops but say that damages would also impact future Kharif crops, as they have lost investment capacity.
Weather experts on Friday said strong winds and rain had already flattened the wheat crops in different areas of the province and they warned that the current patterns of rain and wind could continue for the next 24 hours.
Zafar Awais, a farmer from central Punjab, said that maize and canola crops may suffer the most after wheat. The only area where the current spell would benefit wheat is barani, or rain-fed wheat, where the crop was facing a long dry spell. However, it was harmful for oil seed crops like canola and mustard, which were being harvested. Grams crop sown on the plains just below the area may also suffer, he added.
Agriculture experts said that country now has to develop wheat genetics, with a focus on developing seeds that produce stronger straw and grain and could withstand the current patterns of rain and wind, they added. The experts further said that crop agronomy also needed to be improved, as old practices may not yield desired results.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2023.
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