SRINAGAR: The continuous inclement weather last month led to a delay in the paddy transplantation process in Kashmir. However, after a few dry days, agricultural activities have picked up. The farmers need to transplant paddy before June 21.
Farmers from different areas of the valley informed the news agency KNO that the continuous wet weather had delayed all agricultural work in Kashmir. They expressed satisfaction over the dry days of the past few days, which enabled them to resume agricultural activities.
Mehrajuddin, a farmer from Pulwama district in south Kashmir said that they typically transplant paddy in the last week of May. However, intermittent rains last month affected the growth of paddy nurseries.
“The nurseries were sown 40 days ago, but they haven’t grown well and are still small in size. Therefore, the transplantation process has been delayed,” he said.
Another farmer from Kulgam mentioned that they were unable to carry out the tilling process due to the wet weather. “We tilled the land in the water. This is not usually done,” he said.
Usually, dry land is tilled, which is easier for farmers. However, this year the land was first irrigated and became very wet due to continuous rains, he added.
Farmers from other districts expressed similar concerns, stating that the wet weather had delayed the transplantation process throughout the valley by approximately 15 to 20 days.
“Now, with dry weather for the past few days, we need to complete this work before June 21, as the transplantation won’t ripen on time after that,” they said.
Meanwhile, officials at the Agriculture Department said that farmers who sowed nurseries 30 days ago should proceed with paddy transplantation, even if the plants are small in height.
Keeping nurseries for an extended period may impact the yield, they said. They also mentioned that if the dry weather continues, all farmers will complete transplantation before June 21. (KNO)
