.png){kind=icon}
21st, December, 2021
Topic: Agriculture, Economics and Geography
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims as well as Mains.
What is the news?
- Farmers and fruit growers in lower Kangra district are a worried lot as the ongoing prolonged dry spell has not only hampered the sowing of rabi crops, but also hit citrus fruit cash crops.
Challenges:
- The farmers ploughed and prepared their fields for the cultivation of rank crop, but in the absence of rain and soil moisture, they are unable to plant their crops.
- Some farmers, who planted wheat in late November and were expecting precipitation in the first half of December, are at risk of suffering losses.
- The maximum amount of farmland in the area is rainy and farmers are dependent on rainwater as they do not have irrigation facilities.
- The dry season also hurt citrus crops such as orange, kinnow and galgal.
- In the absence of rain and continuing drought-like condition, neither the fruit has developed in size, nor has it acquired proper shape so far.
Official data:
- According to official records, farmers cultivate wheat on about 9,850 hectares and maize and paddy on 4,670 and 5,892 hectares.
What types of Crops planted in November and December?
- The rabi seeds are seeded in early autumn in November or December.
About Rabi Crops:
- Crops grown in winter (October through March) are called Rabi Crops.
- Examples of rabi crops are wheat, gram, pea, mustard and linseed.
- As wheat requires low temperatures to grow, winter is the ideal season for growing this rabi crop.
- The ideal temperature range should be about 14 to 18 degrees centigrade with precipitation between 50 cm and 90 cm.
(Source: HP Tribune)
0 Comments