North Indian farmers are severely hit by untimely rains and hailstorms

North Indian farmers are severely hit by untimely rains and hailstorms. According to Rajasthan’s agriculture minister Prabhu Lal Saini, Bharatpur and Dholpur districts of the state are worst affected by the downpour.

Wheat and mustard farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are the worst affected as the crop that survived the storms and rainfall would deliver inferior quality grain, which lowers the price. While the farmers hint at a heavy loss, the officials say the damage is limited to some pockets.

“The state agriculture officials are in the field to access the damage. We will ensure farmers get the necessary compensation for the loss,” he said.

He also pointed out that about 70% of the wheat and mustard in the state had already been harvested. But, the water logging and flattening of crops, labourers are compelled to manually cut the crop and thresh it rather than go for combine harvesters.

This has raised the expenses of harvest. The hike accounts to as high as around 600-700 per acre, say various reports.

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