Fluctuating temperature might reduce agricultural yield
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Mir Tariq 10 JuneBandipora: The fluctuating temperature is a cause of panic among farmers here in north Kashmir district of Bandipora.The land and orchard owners are concerned about the likely fall in crop yield and threat of apple diseases due to continuing fluctuation in the temperature along with daily heavy rains."We are afraid of the low agricultural yield, disease like scabies etc may erupt due the continuous fluctuation in daily temperature” said Ajaz ahmed, adding " many farmers have not till date ploughed their lands as heavy rains are preventing them to do so."
Agricultural experts also evince the view that a continuous fluctuation in the temperature will definitely affect the agricultural produce and orchards are likely to become more vulnerable to the diseases like scabies. "The nursery beds of paddy have been facing diseases like tip burn, yellowing and foot rot due to hails and heavy rains, now it needs favorable temperature for the growth of these paddy seedlings which is fluctuating,” said Arif Ahmed Lone, a farmer.The recent hail storm had destroyed paddy crop and 80 per cent orchards suffered damages in different villages in Bandipora.Farmers have alleged authorities from agricultural department of non-cooperation and told Rising Kashmir that officers from the department never bothered to visit the areas of the district."Agricultural officer have never visited our lands, we don't know their responsibilities" said Mushtaq Ahmed, adding "they should come and guide us if they have responsibility of this nature.""We are in need of the help from department of Agriculture as we have lost the paddy seedling during the recent hail storm" said Muhammad Ramzan of Kunan, adding “the department should guide us while we are planting padding seedlings."Denouncing the allegations of non cooperation nodal cum District officer Agriculture Bandipora, Muhammad Mubark Reshi said "We are visiting the fields wherever there are complaints of disease eruption however we have not observed eruption of any kind of disease which needs guidance from the department."“We are providing guidance to farmers regarding the manuring and use of fertilizers,” adds Reshi. Commenting on the effect of fluctuating temperatures Reshi said "We have asked the farmers to ensure fungicide spray in their farms to prevent diseases, if they there is an eruption of diseases in their fields."The lack of irrigation facilities due to blockade of irrigation canals is adding to the woes of farmers."All the canals and streams are either filled with filth or blocked, therefore we are not able to irrigate our lands,” Ghulam Nabi Dar said, adding "troops within the army camp located on the road side at Kloosa are throwing garbage into the stream which has blocked the stream.”