Rain damages maize crop on 40,000 acres

BATHINDAJAGRAON: Excessive rain last week destroyed maize crop spread 40000 acres in Jagraon Ludhiana Hoshiarpur Jalandhar and Nawanshahr districts

Updated At : 06:37 AM Jul 05, 2017 IST

A damaged maize field near Jagraon in Ludhiana district following incessant rain last week. Tribune photo

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda/Jagraon, July 4

Excessive rain last week destroyed maize crop spread 40,000 acres in Jagraon, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Nawanshahr districts.

The maximum crop loss has been reported from low-lying areas where rainwater accumulated. Not only maize plants have been damaged, but corn cobs have also been afflicted with fungus rendering them unfit for consumption.

Besides, the rise in moisture content of the crop — from an acceptable 12-14 per cent to 35-40 per cent — has led to crashing of corn prices.

The maize was sown in February and March over 75,000 acre after harvesting of potato.

“We discourage farmers from early sowing of maize. Normally, maize is sown in June and July for the crop requires enormous amount of water in the initial stage. Since fields are vacant after potato harvesting, farmers prefer maize in anticipation of reaping profits. Early sowing of maize has a slight advantage as it gives a high yield of 28 to 30 quintals per acre,” said Naresh Gulati, a farm expert of the state Agriculture Department.

The state government fixes the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize, but it does not purchase the crop. Its MSP is Rs 1,265 a quintal. “In the absence of government purchase, farmers are forced to sell their moisture-laden crop between Rs 550 and Rs 900 a quintal,” said Mohinder Singh, a farmer from Jagraon.

Varinder Khera, District Mandi Officer, Jalandhar, claimed the moisture-laden maize was selling for up to Rs 750 a quintal, whereas the dry crop fetched up to Rs 1,275.

“Farmers, who are able to bring down the moisture content with the help of dryers, are getting a reasonable price, but their number is not high,” the official said.

Jaswinder Sangha, general secretary, Jalandhar Potato Growers’ Association, said farmers had suffered double loss this time. “Earlier, demonetisation had led to crash of potato prices. So, farmers had sown maize, hoping to come out of the quagmire. And now, rain has broken their back,” he added.