Rain and wind threaten ripe crops in Ludhiana, farmers pray for clear skies

Raghbir Singh Benipal, a farmer leader, said dry weather was required for the harvest of the matured paddy crop. “We hope that the rains do not continue as speedy winds will flatten the crop and it will be too cumbersome to cut the same. Due to the moisture content, the grain colour will also be affected,” said Benipal.

Another farmer Jarnail Singh from Alamgir village said that the variety 1121 of Basmati rice is affected as the crop is heavy and flattened easily as compared to variety 126 , the harvest of which has already started.

Manpreet Ayali of Waris Punjab de said that he had visited Dakha and adjoining areas, and though there were losses, but not to a major extent as of now. “But farmers are praying that the rains stop as it could prove to be harmful,” he said.