A 25-30 per cent loss in the production of paddy this Kharif season has been reported in Hisar due to delays in rains in July.
According to the report, other Kharif crops like cotton have also suffered on account of extreme heat and delay in monsoon in the state.
The paddy area has seen an increase in the Hisar district this year as farmers shifted from cotton due to pest attacks in the past few years.
Therefore, the area under paddy has gone up to 1,73,725 acres while that under cotton has reduced from 1,81,600 acres to 1,31,565 acres.
The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department of the state made preparations for the purchase of the 80,000MT of paddy arrived in mandis as estimated by the agriculture department.
However, the collection of paddy after a month of procurement in 13 mandis of Hisar is only 50,000 MT, till date.
Another 10,000 MT is arriving in the remaining 12 days as per reported by officials.
Meanwhile, the agriculture department admits that paddy production is less than normal in the district.
Though the average (per acres) production is yet to be estimated, the department has indicated that the average yield too has fallen significantly.
The department officials further said that the farmers who will get their crop insured would get benefit under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, in case of lower than average yield.
According to report, factors like no rain for 25 days inJuly, shortage of water for irrigation in paddy areas, non-availability of fertilisers on time and disease and pest attack on paddy crops in some areas.
District Food and Supply Controller Amit Shekhawat said,“We had estimated the arrival of 80,000 MT. Now it seems that the arrival will be up to 60,000 MT.”
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