19.05.2015

USA - Cool, wet conditions slow fieldwork

For the week ending May 17, cool, wet conditions slowed fieldwork across much of the state, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, May 18. Crop development was also slowed by the below-normal temperatures. A second week of welcome rainfall continued to improve soil moisture ratings. Statewide, there were 2.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 9 percent very short, 20 short, 62 adequate, and 9 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 11 percent very short, 32 short, 54 adequate, and 3 surplus.Corn planted rated 83 percent, ahead of 70 last year and the five-year average of 66. Emerged was 46 percent, well ahead of 13 last year and 21 average.Soybeans planted rated 42 percent complete, ahead of 29 last year and 24 average. Emerged was 4 percent, near 2 last year and 3 average.Spring wheat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 8 poor, 50 fair, 41 good, and 1 excellent. Spring wheat planted rated 97 percent, ahead of 82 last year and 89 average. Emerged was 77 percent, well ahead of 40 last year and 59 average.Winter wheat condition rated 10 percent very poor, 26 poor, 43 fair, 21 good, and 0 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 46 percent, well ahead of 10 last year. Headed was 1 percent, ahead of 0 last year, but near 6 average.Oats condition rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 31 fair, 61 good, and 5 excellent. Oats planted rated 98 percent, well ahead of 80 last year and 87 average. Emerged was 84 percent, well ahead of 54 last year and 61 average.Barley planted rated 97 percent, well ahead of 54 last year and 75 average. Emerged was 77 percent, well ahead of 14 last year and 42 average.Sorghum planted rated 11 percent, ahead of 3 last year and 5 average.Pasture and range conditions were rated 5 percent very poor, 19 poor, 43 fair, 28 good and 5 excellent.Stock water supplies rated 10 percent very short, 22 short, 66 adequate, and 2 surplus.Source - www.hpj.com

18.05.2015

USA - Farmers expect loss in crop yields following extensive rainfall

Rain can be a blessing and a curse for Faulkner County farmers looking to tend to their spring crops, and the recent weather is proving to be the latter.Hank Chaney, county agent with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service of Faulkner County, is among agricultural officials in the area taking in the outcome of rainfall.About 6 inches of rain fell from May 7-11 in Conway, according to the National Weather Service in Little Rock. Smaller amounts fell this weekend and more chances are expected on Monday as well as later into the work week.The problems being seen right now from recent rain: a likely loss in yield in quality for certain crops in Faulkner County, especially corn, milo and rice.“So far, we’ve lost some acres of corn and milo,” Chaney said, adding that his office is still gathering data to determine the full magnitude of crop impacts. “We don’t know what damage is being done to the wheat.”Soybeans, the biggest crops in the county economically, are underwater and will likely have to be replanted in some areas of the county, Chaney said. He added that there is still time to replant or plant soybeans.Corn and milo fields could also see the need for replanting, given that herbicides were applied prior to the extensive rainfall.“We’re not getting any relief,” he said, adding that some producers can’t get into their pastures to bale hay with what he called a “deluge of rainfall.”Chaney said farmers are running out of time in terms of planting certain crops, following delays in crops coming out of dormancy this spring after a cool and wet winter.Rice and corn are among the crops nearing a planting deadline for this spring. Chaney estimates that rice yields could decrease by 30 percent this year.“It becomes a matter of do I plant or not,” he said.Wheat crop farmers, with many having to deal with flooding, are facing the unknown as well.“About last week, we were really needing a shower and then we got all this mess,” Chaney said.Any rain in the forecast is now troublesome for farmers as they hope for runoff and drying on fields.Though Chaney said a drying off period is essential, he added that he is afraid of going “from one extreme to another.”“Right now we’re in a wait and see mode,” he said, describing the potential for disaster area declarations and any upcoming weather impacts.Lighter rain fell in Faulkner County on Saturday and more showers are expected Sunday and Monday, though river levels are expected to keep dropping in the area with the flood risk decreasing.For some, the flooding is the worst they have seen in the area all together, and to others the rainfall totals they see as just shy of being the worst are by no means a welcome sight.Chaney said the farmers he has talked to remain optimistic about their crops.“You can’t get into this game and be a pessimist,” he said, adding that while things may be tough right now, “You have no control and have to have a lot of fortitude.”The rainfall is taking its toll on another aspect of the agriculture industry – local orchards.Marcie Garis, co-owner of Collins Round Mountain Orchard at 159 Mill Pond Road in Conway, said the orchard, which plans to be open for one last year, is experiencing later blooms and a likely delay in fruit crops.“We can’t get into the garden area to plow and plant,” she said. “Everything bloomed later this year. It will be mid-June to the latter part of June for our first crops.”Collins Round Mountain Orchard typically opens in early June. Marcie and her husband, Racy, sold the orchard to Rush-Hal properties last May, though the orchard will remain operational for one more year.While this year will be the end of their orchard, the owners are still striving to keep customers coming for one last round of items such as peaches, nectarines, plums, blackberries and a variety of vegetables.Peaches are Marcie’s primary concern right now, as Collins Round Mountain Orchard has had problems regrowing peach trees in recent years where they were planted before. The recent weather certainly didn’t help their efforts, she said.Marcie said she is unsure of how many vegetable varieties – squash, cucumbers, eggplant and peppers – the orchard will have this year.“Our goal is to have what we’ve been having,” she said.Source - http://thecabin.net

18.05.2015

India - Saving agriculture from weather woes

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms in March and April caused severe damage to more than 10 million hectares of wheat, mustard, potato and other rabi crops. Independent estimates project damages to be as high as Rs.65,000 crore. In Haryana alone, standing crops in over 1.7 million hectares of land were affected. Unexpected rainfall late in the growing season can be even worse than droughts. It undoes all the investment, efforts and hopes of farmers nurtured through the season.Unfortunately, climate models predict that such irregular weather events are likely to increase in the future, both in frequency and intensity. Unlike droughts, this problem cannot be mitigated by building structures such as tanks, ponds, tubewells and dams. What is needed is an institutional umbrella to protect farmers from unpredictable weather and helping them adapt to it.Thus far, the Union government’s primary response has been a declaration of compensation to farmers. As part of an ongoing study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), we spoke to farmers in Haryana after the central government announced a 50% increase in compensation. Farmers were sceptical of this measure and said the patwari, or village accountant, rarely conducts a proper, unbiased assessment of damage. Only one of the 18 villages in the sample had an assessment conducted by the patwari. Furthermore, farmers in Karnal district suggested that the compensation system is flawed as money disbursement is tied to the plot number. The money automatically goes to the landowner; the tenant doesn’t benefit.Even if these flaws in the compensation system are addressed, compensation can only be a part of a comprehensive adaptation strategy. In the midst of heated discussions on compensations, what is overlooked is the fact that the government’s other efforts have either failed or have had limited impact.First, providing farmers with timely and accurate weather forecasts can vastly improve their preparedness to climatic events and enable them to make necessary changes in production practices. Almost every household in our sample in Karnal district had access to weekly weather forecasts on the Internet which enabled them to plan irrigation time and prevent crop damage. However, lack of information at the beginning of the cropping season prevented them from making crucial changes to agricultural operations such as planting an alternative crop, and advancing or delaying the sowing period to reduce potential damage.Second, crop insurance must be actively promoted to serve as a prominent relief measure. Under the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and the Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), farmers can insure crops against floods, droughts, hailstorms, etc., yet only about 25% of them do so.There are several issues such as a lack of awareness about the modalities of crop insurance that limit the spread of crop insurance. More interestingly, many farmers who took loans through Kisan Credit Cards were unaware that it included compulsory crop insurance. Further, the few who were aware of the scheme, said insurance firms do not disburse claims unless 90% of the crop is damaged.Lastly, measures that may effectively reduce loss of crops, such as improved storage facilities at the village level, should be adopted immediately.The agriculture sector continues to be at risk from climate variability, be it drought or excessive rainfall. However, much of the loss can be avoided, and farmers’ distress reduced, by strategically addressing gaps in these systems. The government must collaborate with the private sector and local communities to work towards initiating a sound strategy that provides a safety net for farmers and the agricultural sector.Source - www.livemint.com

18.05.2015

Australian - New form of herbicide resistance discovered in common crop weed

South Australian researchers have discovered what is believed to be the first case of "gene amplification" herbicide resistance in an Australian weed species.The mechanism has been found in glyphosate resistant strains of brome grass, a significant crop weed in southern and western Australian cereal growing zones.Dr Jenna Malone, from the University of Adelaide, said the finding could ultimately help farmers, who can't afford to lose glyphosate from their weed control toolkit."From a management side, there aren't many herbicide options for the control of brome," she said."So in the case of resistance, the loss of glyphosate would cause serious management issues for farmers."At the moment, it [resistance] is not overly widespread. The first case we identified was here in South Australia, on the Yorke Peninsula, then one case in Victoria."Since then we've identified three further cases, two more from Victoria and one in SA."Hopefully if we can get on top of the problem, and get farmers aware that it is something that might be developing, then hopefully we can get onto the management before it is a bigger issue."Gene amplification likely to emerge in other weed speciesPlants displaying the gene amplification mechanism are able to produce more of the enzyme EPSPS, which is targeted by glyphosate, to overcome the herbicide's action.Dr Malone said it was possible the mechanism would now emerge as a cause of herbicide resistance in other Australian weed species."The usual ways we see resistance occurring is through degradation of the herbicide by the plant," she said."Also through mutations in the target of the herbicide, or the plant being able to control the movement of the herbicide."But in the case of brome we've seen quite a different mechanism to this. It's the first time we've seen this in an Australian weed species."It is possible other species will develop this mechanism of resistance. In America, there have been three species so far that also have this mechanism."Dr Malone said the case highlighted the need for sound weed management strategies on the farm."The finding of another instance of resistance reinforces the need to not overuse particular herbicides, in this case glyphosate," she said."And to employ good practices of diverse weed management, including crop rotations, fallow periods, interspersing with grazing cycles and other control mechanisms."Source - www.abc.net.au

18.05.2015

USA - Devils Lake flooding causes ag losses in North Dakota

Potential earnings from agriculture continue to be lost because of high water in the Devils Lake basin in North Dakota.The current estimate of cropland that will be lost to the lake in 2015 is 133,888 acres, according to Jeff Frith, manager of the Devils Lake Basin Joint Water Resource Board, and Bill Hodous, North Dakota State University Extension Service Ramsey County agent.Total direct losses are estimated at nearly $40 million because of reduced sales of crop production as a result of inundated acres, according to Dwight Aakre, NDSU Extension Service farm management specialist. The largest losses are in spring wheat and soybeans, each at about 26 percent of the total. Other crops with major losses include corn, edible beans, barley and canola.The total impact on business activity in the region from direct and indirect losses this year is estimated at $145.8 million, according to Randal Coon, NDSU research specialist. These losses include reduced personal income of $38 million and reduced retail trade activity of $32 million. The loss of business activity ultimately is reflected in lost jobs in the region. Secondary employment losses are estimated at 170 jobs.Lost tax revenues are estimated to be $2.2 million, primarily because of a reduction in sales tax revenue. Personal and corporate income taxes also will be reduced.The data used for the study included the five-year average acreage of each crop grown in the area, five-year average yield for each crop and estimated 2015 marketing year average price for each crop.Approximately 10,000 acres of additional cropland is estimated to be lost for every 1-foot rise in the level of Devils Lake. The impact of this additional loss of agricultural production is estimated to be nearly $3 million per year.Secondary losses would add another $7.9 million for a total loss of $10.8 million. The impact on employment would be a loss of 11 full-time equivalent jobs.This analysis quantifies the extent of the lost agricultural production in the Devils Lake Basin as a result of the continued high water levels in Devils Lake, Stump Lake and the surrounding area. It does not include any nonagricultural costs associated with roads and other infrastructure.Source - www.agweek.com

18.05.2015

India - Crop insurance scheme need of the hour

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday said the crop insurance scheme is the need of the hour to save farmers.Reacting to the grant of relief by the Centre to the farmers who were affected during the recent rain and hailstorm in the state, Badal said it was not enough as the compensation for the crop must be rationalised and brought on par with the amount of loss.The chief minister was here to inaugurate various development projects.Addressing a press conference later, the chief minister said the farmers of the state had immensely benefited from the NDA government as by accepting the demand of the state government, the Centre had revised the relief norms for the distressed farmers.Badal said, “Now the farmers are eligible for input subsidy if 33% of their crop has been damaged instead of the earlier 50%. In a big relief to the farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorm in the region, the NDA government has decided to bear the value cut on their harvest. However, it is not enough as the compensation for the crop loss must be rationalised and brought on par with the amount of loss.”He said that despite all odds the NDA government had done exemplary work in its short span. He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching several pro-poor schemes.Replying to a query, Badal said the state government was making every effort to ensure that law and order in the state was not disturbed.The chief minister said the state government was committed to ensuring speedy payments for the VAT refund to traders and industrialists.Source - www.hindustantimes.com

15.05.2015

Europe - Great deal of damage done to fruit after hail storm on May 6th

On May 6th, (severe) rain, hail and stormy weather was reported by various European countries, including the Netherlands. This has been reported by NFO. 5,000 hectares of agricultural crops in Austria have been damaged by hail. OFH and 'Vereinigte Hagel' received damage reports from Belgium (around the Sint-Truiden area), South Limburg, East Betuwe and West Brabant. The weather was very severe in Northeast Austria, with complete hail damage to 5,000 hectares of agricultural crops.Kurt Weinberger, director of Austrian hail insurance, talked about 'catastrophic damage'. Hail stones up to 3cm large were found in an area where not only fruit and cabbage seeds were growing, but also 3,000 hectares of grape crops. The grapes have been completely damaged by the hail. Weinberger estimates the damage to be around 5 million Euro.Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/

15.05.2015

USA - Rain hinders crops

Thanks to recent rains, on Thursday the U.S. Drought Monitor announced that for the first time since 2012, no area in Texas is listed in the exceptional drought category, but now farmers and ranchers are facing a new problem."It was a blessing four or five weeks ago, then two or three weeks ago it was still a blessing. Now it needs to stop."Ben Wible has been a farmer in Grayson County since the 1970s. He said normally this time of year he would be up in his tractor harvesting hay, but the saturated ground has made that impossible, for him, and other farmers."There's going to be thousands of acres not planted just because they could not get in because of the mud," he said.Aaron Looney, owns a farm in Pottsboro, he didn't get his corn planted before the rain and now it's too late. He also predicts that more than half of his wheat crop might not be salvageable."I don't remember it ever raining this much, this long," Looney said.According to the U.S. Drought monitor this year almost 65 % of Texas is no longer in drought, compared to the 9% last year."If it doesn't dry up it's going to be tough," Looney said.Looney said he hopes his cattle will make-up for the crop losses he'll see this year due to flooding."Rain is good, you've got to have it," he said,"but we've just had to much."Source - http://www.kxii.com/

15.05.2015

Spain - Recent storm spoils 20% of kiwi production

The storm registered last week has spoiled 20% of the fruit in Spain's main kiwi production area. "The wind caused lots of damage. In some farms, only 10% of the plants were affected, but in others between 25 and 30% have been damaged," stated Martín Fernández, technician at Kiwi Atlántico. The weather has not been favourable for the crops or the vineyards of O Baixo Miño.Growers are always weary about the weather conditions during the flowering. This stage is crucial, since this is when pollination takes place; that is, when the flower transforms into settled fruit. To overcome this critical stage, which lasts for two weeks, "we need dry weather and temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius." If the weather is benign until the end of the month, the campaign would still be good despite the losses.For now, they have been saved by the fact that the low winter temperatures caused a very intense flowering, so even with 20% damaged, the results of the campaign will still be positive "as long as the weather remains favourable. So far, it has been a year of many more risks due to the weather conditions in both winter and spring, with plenty of rain and humidity," points out Martín Fernández. "We are taking extreme caution to prevent bacteria from causing the flowers to rot, so we have applied copper treatments to this end," he stressed.The area's average production in recent years stands at 3.5 million kilos. For now, nobody dares to speculate on this season's production because there are still six months ahead before the harvest and they have already had too many surprises.The region of O Baixo Miño continues to be Spain's largest kiwi producer, and Galicia represents 50% of the domestic total, which amounts to about 12 million kilos.Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/

15.05.2015

India - Agriculture Dept roots for crop insurance

While Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) cautions ‘a below average rainfall’ in state during the South-West (SW) monsoon, state Agriculture Department hopes to popularise crop insurance policies for cultivators as the part of contingency plan.Following an incessant rainfall that was recorded last week in various parts of the state, the department has commenced the collection of ‘First Information Report’ for crop losses which ensued.“We are collecting First Information Reports of crop losses that followed the heavy rainfalls last week,” said Haridas, Deputy Principal Agricultural Officer in Kozhikode. According to the officials at IMD in Thiruvananthapuaram, ‘heavy rainfall’ was recorded in all districts except Kollam during the last two months. Kollam recorded a rainfall of 210.8 mm and other districts recorded a rainfall over 337.3 mm in the last two months. IMD has predicted ‘excess’ rainfall in all parts of the state till Sunday. As IMD observed below average rainfall with onset of South-West monsoon due to the impact of El Nino effect over the Pacific, experts opined that it is likely to have an impact on state’s agriculture sector. IMD has predicted SW monsoon to hit Kerala shore on June 1.“Warning on below average rainfall during the monsoon is worrisome. We have sent out message to farmers regarding it. We are trying to educate the farmers on the benefits of crop insurance system which has been initiated by Government of India (GOI),” said Ranjini, Principal Agricultural Officer in Kozhikode. Crop insurances are currently issued by National Insurance and the state agriculture department. “More farmers should come forward to buy crop insurance. Crop insurance is based on weather changes and hence that would be the best plan contingency plan as of now,” said Siva Prasad, Additional Director of Agriculture. In case of crop failure due to climate changes, insurance amount will be issued to farmers after weather station data on climate changes are interpreted. Crop insurance by state agriculture department will cover 12 crops, which will include rice and vegetables.On Thursday, the government secretary for Agriculture will convene a meeting of all officials in the department to discuss the other contingency plans. The meeting will also moot the coverage of tuber crops in the in crop insurance issued by the agriculture department.Crop insurance is something that should be collectively welcomed by the farmer fraternity. Agricultural scientists have always suggested crop insurance,” said Dr. Jayaprakash CA, head of the Crop Protection Unit at Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI). He added that measures like crop insurance would encourage farmers to face adverse situations wherein they are forced to uproot crops following viral attacks on tuber crops.Source - http://www.newindianexpress.com/

15.05.2015

Nepal - Farm sector faces ‘over Rs10b’ losses

The 7.9 magnitude April 25 earthquake has caused losses in the agricultural sector of around Rs 10.11 billion in 14 districts, according to the Ministry of Agricultural Development.This preliminary figure, however, does not include losses to standing crops--maize, wheat and vegetables--and additional losses created by Tuesday’s 7.3 magnitude earthquake.The ministry’s preliminary report showed that out of 31 districts affected by the earthquake, the farm sector in 14 had been severely impacted.The ministry sought Rs 8 billion from the National Planning Commission on Thursday for a farm recovery plan.Of the total amount, Rs 3 billion is being for immediate release, where the government plans to distribute 400 tonnes of fully subsidised paddy seeds to the most-affected districts.The ministry said that the supply of subsidised chemical fertilisers will also be made easier in these districts.Shankar Sapkota, assistant spokesperson at the ministry, said that the government has also estimated further losses to the agriculture sector triggered by Tuesday’s quake.According to Sapkota, losses of food stocked by farmers in houses that collapsed completely in the quake alone stood at Rs 8.11 billion.An estimated 132,000 tonnes of food stock has been buried in the debris of collapsed houses in 14 districts. Food losses in other districts amount to about 3,000 tonnes.Sapkota further said that livestock losses amount to Rs 887.5 million, particularly in Sindhupalchok, Kavre, Gorkha, Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts.The ministry’s preliminary figures showed that the quake had buried 31,587 cattle, including 10,514 buffaloes and cows. Similarly, 303,709 fowl were killed by the quake.“However, there were no significant damages reported to standing crops like maize, wheat and vegetables,” said Sapkota.“But the output of these crops is likely to be affected to some extent, as farmers have relocated their settlements on the farmland. Landslides triggered by Tuesday’s quake have also swept away most farm plots in hilly areas.” Meanwhile, the ministry said that losses of physical infrastructure amounted to Rs 1.12 billion. Around 169 infrastructures under the ministry have been destroyed completely, while 254 properties had sustained minor damage.No Food DeficitSpokesperson Sapkota said that the country would not suffer from a food deficit or widespread starvation. “We still have 500,000 tonnes of food balance to meet the extra demand,” he said.“However, if the distribution channel is not effective, it could increase the number of food deficit districts,” cautioned Sapkota. As the quake did not significantly affect Tarai districts, the country’s food basket, the ministry is hopeful that summer crop--paddy, maize and millet--production will address the country’s food deficit.However, the deterioration of the environment looks likely to contribute to increased natural hazards, as well as droughts and floods.As the quake hit the country just before the start of the main paddy growing season, the inability of disaster-struck farmers to return to their farms could affect production, particularly in the hills.Normally, paddy production in the hills starts from May-end, while in the Tarai, it normally begins in July-August and stretches to September, based on the availability of the monsoon rains.Experts said that the distribution, intensity and frequency of the monsoon would be key for the farm sector this season. “If there are heavy rains, there will be risks of floods and landslide and if there is less rain, agriculture will be severely affected,” Sapkota said. “Modest rainfall, however, will balance all things.”Source - http://www.ekantipur.com/

15.05.2015

El Niño is here, but it can’t help parched California (for now)

Three national agencies have confirmed that the natural phenomenon has arrived, but not in time to bring much-needed rains in the West.A warm band of water has appeared in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, heralding the return of El Niño. The condition, which can bring unusual weather patterns ranging from drought to floods, will probably last at least through the end of the year, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center announced.The El Niño Southern Oscillation is a natural cycle of temperature oscillations in the tropical eastern Pacific. Water temperatures go from warmer to cooler than average, and an El Niño year marks the warmest phase. Ocean temperatures and global weather patterns are linked, so each peak in this cycle is accompanied by extreme weather in certain parts of the world.Past El Niños have been blamed for devastating floods and droughts, landslides, fishery collapses and crop losses. The most severe El Niño in recent history, which occurred in 1997 and 1998, caused between $10 billion and $25 billion in damages in the United States.Last month, the Climate Prediction Center noted the appearance of the features of a weak El Niño, such as some surface water warming and changes in wind patterns. Trade winds had become more westerly and upper-level winds had weakened. Those conditions have strengthened and now reflect a “weak to moderate” El Niño, according to the center’s most recent alert. Government meteorologists in Japan and Australia have concurred that 2015 is an El Niño year.“The onset of El Niño in Australia in 2015 is a little earlier than usual. Typically El Niño events commence between June and November,” Neil Plummer at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology noted in a statement.Scientists expect this year’s El Niño to strengthen, but they do not yet know how strong it will get or how its effects will play out around the globe. There are trends in El Niño years: In local summer, much of Southeast Asia and India tend to dry out, while mountain ranges in the U.S. West usually see more wintertime rain and snow. But these effects do not necessarily happen during every El Niño event. Australia has experienced widespread drought in 17 of the last 26 events, but this year, warmer-than-average Indian Ocean temperatures may dominate the region, bringing rain instead of dry weather.In the United States, El Niño’s impacts occur mostly in winter. The northern part of the country usually gets warmer, and the Ohio Valley gets drier. The southern parts of the United States, from California to Florida, tend to receive more rain. This last bit of the pattern has led some people to hope that El Niño could relieve the California drought.But with El Niño’s May arrival, it is too late to help California. The drought is expected to persist or worsen over the next few months, and even a strong El Niño would have no effect unless it lasted through the upcoming winter. Should conditions in the Pacific continue or even strengthen, El Niño could bring the rains next winter that would offer some relief to parched Californians.Source - http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

14.05.2015

Cyprus - Crops destroyed by hailstorm

Producers in the semi and mountainous regions of Paphos and Nicosia saw their crops destroyed on Wednesday afternoon by huge hail the size of walnuts.The hailstorm that lasted about half an hour, destroyed vineyards and half-grown tree crops and grain in Paphos, and cherry crops in Kampos tis Tsakkistras and Amiandos in Nicosia.According to reports, vine growers said the damage was so extensive that their vineyards will not be able to produce grapes next year either.To examine the extent of the damage in Paphos, members of the local farmers unions visited the affected areas.Farmers are asking for the assistance of the government since they say they will not be fully compensated by the subsidy schemes of the Agriculture Insurance Organisation (OGA).Source - http://cyprus-mail.com/

14.05.2015

Philippines - Corn farmers in Cebu town declare losses due to drought

About 150 small-scale farmers in the mid-western Cebu town of Asturias issued notices of loss in their corn farms because of the ongoing dry spell.In their notices of loss forwarded to the municipal government, the farmers reported losses or damages to their crops by as much as 50 to 100 percent for the period of January to April this year.The farmers claimed that the corns which were supposed to be harvested within the period have not produced the desired yield.The drought has so far affected a total of 154 hectares of corn plantation in 16 of 27 Asturias barangays.Asturias is home to about 1,067 hectares of land conducive for corn farming which takes about four months to harvest.The impact of the losses may not be as severe considering that it is the dry season, but municipal agriculturist Jade Mesias said the drought still has affected the farmers’ livelihood.Mesias added that Asturias town mayor Alan Adlawan will be affixing his signature on the notices so that the farmers may use the documents to get their claims from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.Source - http://cnnphilippines.com/

14.05.2015

USA - Storm-damaged crop may cost farm thousands

The overnight storms left several Rio Grande Valley farmers picking up the pieces. Gerardo Portillo, the farm manager for Big Bear Farm, waded through water hoping to salvage crops.Just a few days ago, he tended to a plush crop of cantaloupes. Now, the vine and its fruit are rotting, after too much rain.“The company spends maybe $3,000 per acre to make the crop. We're going to lose a lot of money,” said Portillo.The company has close to 100 acres. Portillo and his crew had planned to pick and harvest the cantaloupes tomorrow. But with about six inches of rain accumulated on the field overnight, more than half the crop may be a total loss.This isn't Big Bear Farm’s only crop the storm damaged. There are a total of 720 acres used to grow cilantro, onions and other vegetables.Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/

14.05.2015

India - Punjab CM urges Centre to start crop insurance scheme

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Centre to start a crop insurance scheme to protect the interests of farmers in events of crop damage due to adverse weather conditions.Badal said the farmers were badly affected by hostile weather conditions that damaged large part of their crops.He said that with the crop insurance scheme in place, the distressed farmers could be compensated for their losses."The vagaries of weather are proving detrimental for the farmers...the Government of India must introduce a crop insurance scheme for bailing them out of the agrarian crisis," Badal said.Source - http://www.nytimes.com/