Farmers put on alert as showers, damp conditions grip fields

Srinagar, Aug 27: With intermittent light rains predicted across Kashmir over the next few days, agriculture experts have advised farmers to remain vigilant as paddy, maize, beans and apple crops enter sensitive stages of growth and harvest.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light rainfall is likely at scattered places on August 27, 30 and 31, while August 28 and 29 are expected to remain largely dry. Day temperatures are expected to hover between 27°C and 31°C, with minimums between 15°C and 17°C. Humidity levels are forecast to peak around 90 percent in the mornings, raising concerns about crop diseases and water stress.

The Agromet Field Unit of SKUAST-Kashmir, in its latest advisory, has urged farmers to ensure proper drainage to protect fields from waterlogging. “Paddy growers should maintain a thin water layer in fields up to the milking stage, and adopt alternate wetting and drying practices as the crop matures,” the advisory reads, warning that stagnant water at this stage could damage yields.

Farmers cultivating maize and beans have been asked to clear drainage channels and harvest bean pods in time to prevent shattering and discoloration from rain. Vegetable growers have been advised to continue sowing turnip, radish, carrot and beetroot, while transplanting kale, cabbage and cauliflower seedlings without delay. For creeping vegetables like cucumbers and bottle gourds, staking has been recommended to avoid crop loss from lodging.

The advisory comes at a crucial time for saffron cultivators as well. With sowing in progress, experts have suggested treating corms with fungicides before plantation to guard against disease. Orchardists have been asked to maintain sanitation in apple orchards, spray against scab and leaf blotch diseases, and pick fruits only once they attain proper size and colour. “Any premature harvest could not only lower the market value but also affect the overall storage quality of Kashmiri apples,” horticulture experts cautioned.

Livestock farmers have also been given specific directions. Dairy cattle are vulnerable to mastitis and bloat during humid conditions, and sheep and goat herders have been advised to complete deworming schedules in time. Poultry farmers have been asked to provide cool drinking water, ensure proper ventilation inside sheds, and maintain strict vaccination schedules. Beekeepers, meanwhile, have been urged to replace weak queens, protect colonies from wasp attacks and maintain strict hygiene in apiaries.

Agricultural scientists say the advisory is not just routine but critical for safeguarding livelihoods. “Kashmir’s farmers are facing unpredictable weather cycles. Even light rains at this stage can impact paddy, beans and apple harvests. Timely action on drainage, disease management and harvesting is essential to minimize losses,” said an agriculture officer in Srinagar.

The SKUAST-K telemedicine portal has also been opened for farmers seeking crop-specific advice. Experts have stressed that small preventive measures taken now could protect both yields and incomes in the coming weeks.