Vellore district administration advises farmers to protect themselves from heat waves, stressing crop management
Tamil Nadu: Vellore District Magistrate V.R. Subbulakshmi has advised farmers to take necessary precautions and agricultural management measures to protect their crops in view of the heat wave conditions caused by the El Niño effect. The administration stated that the changing weather and rising temperatures require special vigilance in agricultural operations.
According to the district administration, farmers have been advised to focus on plowing and cultivating high-value crops during the summer season. Emphasis has also been placed on ensuring timely germination of seeds and increased use of biofertilizers to maintain soil fertility and improve crop quality.
The administration has also clarified that working in the fields should be avoided during the hottest hours of the day, i.e., between 12 noon and 3 pm, to protect farmers from the health risks posed by the heat. It is also advised to avoid irrigation during the afternoon, as this leads to increased evaporation and reduced effectiveness.
To maintain soil moisture and regulate surface temperature, the use of natural mulching materials such as straw and sugarcane leaves has been encouraged. This conserves moisture and provides relief to crops from the effects of heat.
To combat drought-like conditions, farmers have been advised to adopt micro-irrigation techniques, which can save water and provide crops with the necessary moisture. Furthermore, the use of shade nets, which provide 30 to 50 percent shade, has been recommended in nurseries and vegetable gardens.
The administration has also suggested that perishable crops be harvested in the morning to maintain quality. Meanwhile, fruit crops that have reached the flowering and fruiting stages need to be irrigated on a priority basis.
The district administration has appealed to the farmers to adopt all these measures to protect their crops from weather challenges and maintain stable production.
