Jalandhar: Rising temperatures raise concerns among wheat farmers

Jalandhar: Farmers in many parts of the Doaba region are worried as rising temperatures threaten the wheat crop, which is currently on the rise. Memories of last year’s crop losses are still fresh, and many farmers fear that if the heat continues, this year’s yield could be affected as well. Tarsem Singh, a farmer from Uggi village, expressed concern about the changing weather. He said, “We are just relying on God. Earlier, we had problems with sugarcane, potatoes, and paddy, and now wheat seems to be in danger as well.” Agricultural officials have also acknowledged that weather conditions can adversely affect wheat production. High temperatures are particularly harmful during this time because the crop is in the grain formation stage, when grains form and grow in size. Excessive heat during this stage prevents the grains from reaching their full size, reducing yields.

Jaspal Singh, Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) of Sultanpur Lodhi, said that farmers are being advised to take precautions to minimize losses. He said, “We are advising farmers to spray potassium nitrate on the crop as it will help reduce stress. They should also irrigate frequently and lightly, but only when there is no rain.” Despite these advice, farmers are still worried. Subegh Singh, a farmer from Nakodar, said he has started light irrigation of his fields to save the crop. However, he described the situation as uncertain and stressful. He said, “It’s a scary situation for us. If it rains, the grain may fall, so we are worried.”
Agricultural experts also said that wheat sown later in the season may be more vulnerable to the current heat conditions. Crops that are still in the early stages, especially the boot stage, may have difficulty completing their life cycle if temperatures remain too high. Most of this late-sown wheat was sown in December and January. Officials say the weather may improve in the coming days. Experts said the situation has changed slightly, and temperatures may drop. However, if the heat persists, wheat harvesting could begin as early as the first week of April, potentially reducing production. Jalandhar’s Chief Agriculture Officer, Jaswinder Singh, acknowledged farmers’ concerns. He said, “Farmers are worried because high temperatures can reduce grain size. We are constantly in touch with farmers and issuing advisories to help them manage the situation.” For now, farmers are closely monitoring the weather, hoping for a cooling down that could save their wheat crop. Until then, they say they are “surrendering to God.”