Frost damages mustard, vegetable crops; farmers seek relief

Weather report by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) indicates a rise of 2°C in the state's average minimum temperature compared to yesterday. Despite the increase, the temperature remains 2°C below normal in the region.

The lowest minimum temperature was recorded at 1.7°C in Hisar last night, indicating chilly conditions in the area.

However, farmers are apprehensive of significant losses as dry frost and frozen dew wreak havoc on mustard and vegetable crops.

Anil Gorchi, a state committee member of the Pagri Sambhal Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, said there had been substantial crop damage in villages such as Siswala, Bhiwani Rohilla, and Rawalwas Kalan under Balasamand tehsil in the district.

Raman Poonia, a farmer from Rawalwas Kalan, said he had planted vegetable crops, only to discover this morning that frost had formed on the vines, causing considerable damage. Similarly, Devender, a farmer from Bhiwani Rohilla, said he found a white layer of frost covering his mustard plants in the morning.

Gorchi said the farmers had been facing the dual challenges of insufficient supply of DAP fertilisers and the adverse impact of weather conditions on crops.

He urged the government to conduct an assessment of the damage by the frost and provide compensation to help them recover their losses.

The severe frost has raised concerns about the state’s agricultural sector, with calls for timely intervention to mitigate the impact of climate-induced crop damage.

The Deputy Director of Agriculture, Dr Rajbir Singh, however, said there was a possibility of some adverse impact of the frost on early-sown mustard but there was no loss in wheat and other rabi crops.