Gonda — Continuous heavy rainfall since September 24 has flattened standing crops of paddy, sugarcane, maize, urad, moong, sesame, and vegetables in the fields, raising serious concerns over crop yield.
Dr. Ram Lakhan Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mankapur, Gonda, said crop yields could fall by anywhere from 25% to 75%. Fields submerged under waterlogging may yield no produce at all. In paddy crops, prolonged rain-induced moisture is expected to degrade grain quality and increase the risk of pest infestation and disease. With continuous rain occurring near the maturity stage, grain germination in the standing crop has already begun. Losses will be more severe in taller paddy varieties, which are more prone to lodging (falling over). In waterlogged areas, drainage is also proving difficult.
Sugarcane crops have also been flattened by the continuous rain; however, farmers who had already tied and supported their crop stalks are expected to see comparatively lower losses due to less lodging. Among pulses and oilseeds, urad, moong and arhar (pigeon pea), as well as sesame, are likely to suffer greater damage. Short-duration Kharif crops that were nearly ready for harvest are especially vulnerable and face higher losses. Vegetables grown on raised platforms (machaan) and ridges are expected to sustain comparatively less damage. Flower crops have been badly damaged by the rain, and newly planted orchards face the risk of plant death due to waterlogging.
Dr. Singh advised farmers to arrange for additional drainage as soon as possible, both in newly planted orchards and across all standing crops wherever feasible, to minimize further losses.
