Erratic weather delays paddy ssed sowing in Kashmir
Pulwama: The erratic weather conditions have caused significant delays in the sowing of paddy seeds, leaving farmers in Kashmir anxious about the upcoming sowing season.
Farmers from different areas of Kashmir said that they were sowing paddy seeds in the second fortnight of April but this year due to wet weather they were unable to till their land and sow paddy seeds.
They, however, added that there is time left to take up this process but if such weather conditions continued for some more time, it may affect farmers badly.
Mohammad Ashraf, a farmer from Pulwama said that every year they used to sow paddy seed in the third week of April but this year they are yet to sow it.
He said that wet weather keeps farmers in dilemma whether they should go for it or not as in wet weather, it doesn’t sprout properly.
Abdl Hameed another farmer said that continuous wet weather has kept their land full of water and they are unable to till it.
He said that wet weather delays every process for farmers but if weather improves the farming activities will pick up pace.
He added that the delayed sowing of paddy seeds raises concerns about the yield and quality of the crops.
Farmers fear that prolonged delays could impact the overall production of rice, a staple food in the Kashmiri diet, and could potentially lead to food shortages and economic hardships for farming communities.
Meanwhile, the government authorities and agricultural experts are closely monitoring the situation and providing support to farmers to mitigate the impact of the erratic weather.
Despite the setbacks caused by unpredictable weather, the farming community remains hopeful for a successful harvest season and a brighter future ahead.
Notably, rice seed is first planted close together in one flooded paddy field and in around 40 days it grows into seedlings that will be transplanted into many paddy fields.
Farmers in Kashmir say that till 21 June it is suitable to plant paddy seedlings to have good crop production.
Jahangeer Ganaie
