Gora Singh, a farmer from Bhaini Bhaga village who has cultivated wheat in 20 acres, said, “Kala and hara tela attacked my wheat crop in previous years as well but this time the nature of the attack is severe. After a month, farmers will start harvesting and the attack at this crucial time will certainly affect the yield. Tela affects the growth of the wheat plants, resulting in low yield. With wheat crop in many acres in the district getting flattened by the recent rain and hailstorms, many farmers cannot afford to bear the damage caused by tela now.”
However, farm union members stated that only a few villages had been affected by the attack and a large part of the district was still untouched.
Farmers said the Agricultural Department was not doing enough and that it must come out to spread awareness among farmers and suggest ways to tackle or prevent the aphid attack on the wheat crop.
Rup Singh from Burj Harike village said: “Hailstorm has already done its damage and I cannot afford to bear with the losses that Kala tela can cause to my crop now. Harvesting is to start in a few weeks but amid the Covid scare, the fear of postponing it also looms large as with the current atmosphere, it will be difficult to hire labor this season.”
Agricultural Development Officer (ADO) Asmanpreet Singh Sidhu said: “Aphid attack is normal in March and the damage so far is not much. We are recommending the use of pesticides to those farmers whose crop has suffered significant damage. There were reports of yellow rust attacks in some villages and we have recommended pesticide use in to minimize the damage. Considering adequate rain and prolonged winters, a bumper wheat yield is expected this season.”
Source - https://www.tribuneindia.com
