Wheat on 70,700 acres damaged in Ambala, Kurukshetra

By Nitish Sharma

The recent untimely rains and hailstorm have affected the wheat crop in nearly 70,700 acres, and the oilseed crop in around 3,720 acres in Ambala and Kurukshetra districts.

As per the data procured, crops in nearly 63,807 acres (62,200 acres in wheat, and 1,607 acre in mustard) in Kurukshetra have been affected. Of the total affected area in wheat, 0-25 per cent crop was affected in 49,300-acre, 26-50 per cent was affected in nearly 12,400 acres and 51-75 per cent crop was affected in 500 acres. Similarly, in mustard crop, 0-25 per cent crop was affected in 1,315 acres, 26-50 per cent crop was affected in 280 acres, while 51-75 per cent crop was affected in 12 acre in Kurukshetra.

In a survey, the Agriculture Department in Ambala recorded estimated losses in 10,780 acres — 8,500 acre in wheat; 1,140 acres in mustard and Toria; about 980 acres in sunflower; and 160 acre in maize. Even in February, wheat and oilseed crops in Naraingarh and Shahzadpur blocks of Ambala district had suffered damages, and the farmers are yet to receive compensation for the losses.

Ambala Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA) Jasvinder Singh Saini said, “A preliminary survey was conducted by the department and the report has been forwarded to the higher authorities. The e-kshatipurti portal has been opened and the farmers should get their losses registered there by March 10.

This article has been republished from The Tribune.