Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 20: A prolonged dry spell in the Jammu region has triggered widespread distress among farmers, who fear severe damage to their Rabi crops as the area continues to face drought-like conditions.
Traditionally, the plains of Jammu receive intermittent rainfall during the first week of December, which is crucial for the germination and healthy growth of Rabi crops, including wheat, mustard, and pulses. However, this year the dry spell has unusually extended till the last week of December, leaving fields parched and farmers anxious.
According to local cultivators, the region has not received any significant rainfall from the first week of September till December 20, disrupting the sowing cycle and moisture levels in agricultural fields. The absence of winter rains has adversely affected soil moisture, raising fears of crop failure if precipitation does not occur soon.
Farmers said that prolonged dry weather has not only delayed crop growth but has also increased their dependence on costly irrigation, which is not uniformly available across the region. Many rain-fed areas are particularly vulnerable, as farmers lack alternative water sources.
“This is the first time in years that we have not seen any rainfall, even by mid-December. Without rain, Rabi crops will wither,” said a farmer from the Akhnoor belt.
Agricultural experts warn that if the dry conditions persist, crop yields could decline significantly, impacting farmers’ incomes and food production in the region. They have urged the authorities to closely monitor the situation and consider contingency measures, including advisories and relief support, if required.
The prolonged dry spell has also affected groundwater levels and small water bodies, further compounding the crisis in rural areas. Farmers across the Jammu region are now looking towards the skies, hoping for timely winter rains to save their standing crops. |
