Farmers in Punjab Will Have A Dull Baisakhi This Year

The Punjab government has projected a damage of around three lakh hectares of farming due to this year's unseasonal rains. By state government estimates most standing crops - wheat, mustard, potato, and grams - have been damaged between February and March because of hailstorms and heavy rains.

With western disturbances fast approaching north India, the weather is unfavourable for the maturity of the wheat crop. "There is relief for next two days. But rains are predicted for April 1, followed by another wet spell in the middle of the month," says Surender Paul, Director of MET in Chandigarh.

Around this time each year, farmers in Punjab are seen harvesting the wheat and preparing to celebrate the festival of harvest - Baisakhi. But things are looking dull this year. Punjab's wheat crop is either yet to ripen or is damaged.

Farmers have nothing to take to the wholesale markets that begin sales from the April 1.

Farmers in Mohali's Chatbeed village are not even sure they will get their share of compensation. The state government has written to the centre seeking a relief package of Rs 717 crore.

"No one has come yet come here to survey our damaged crops or to listen to our problems. We are all worried," says Sohan Lal who has lost his wheat produce.

Farmers, who were looking forward to a healthy potato crop, are equally depressed. The unseasonal rain has meant poor quality potatoes. Farmers have lost Rs 20,000 per acre on an average, forcing them to offer a slashed rate of as little as Rs 1 to 1.50 per kilogram.