Wheat crop is produced in approximately 19 thousand hectares in the district. At present the wheat crop is standing ready in the fields. Farmers in the surrounding areas including Panchayat Ghar, Belbaba and Gaulapar have harvested the crop and spread it in the fields for drying. Due to the rain from Tuesday till Wednesday afternoon, the wheat crop kept for drying in the fields got wet while the standing crop has fallen on the fields due to strong gusts of wind. Farmers say that if the weather does not clear up soon, the crop will get spoiled.

I had sown wheat in 15 bighas. A crop of 10 bighas was harvested by employing labourers. The harvested crop got wet due to rain. If sunlight does not come in time, the grains will turn black. -Mohan Joshi, farmer, Haripur Motiya

About one and a half acres of wheat crop was harvested and kept for drying. There was no sunshine on Tuesday and it rained on Wednesday due to which the crops got wet. I thought I would get the fight done in two-three days. -Narendra Singh Mehta, Gaulapar

Due to rain at the time of harvesting, the crops standing in the field have been damaged. Wheat crop in four bighas was destroyed. This time good profits were expected but unseasonal rains ruined everything. -Madan Chandra, Okhalkanda

Can get relief from insurance scheme

Chief Agriculture Officer in-charge Gitanjali Bangari says that the farmers who have taken crop insurance under the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme will have to inform the insurance company about the loss within 24 hours. After this, assessment will be made and compensation will be given. Based on the joint report of Patwari, Agriculture and Horticulture Department from Tehsil, the damage investigation report will also be prepared and sent to the government.

15 to 30 percent wheat crops have been damaged in the plains and hilly areas. The Revenue Department is assessing the loss and preparing a report. Compensation will be given as per the rules as per the report. – Ritu Tamta, Chief Agriculture Officer

Fruit flowers fall, vegetables get damaged

Unseasonal rain and hailstorm in Nainital district has ruined the hard work of the farmers. The flowers in the fruits have fallen. Seasonal vegetables have also been damaged. DM Lalit Mohan Rayal said that damage to fruit and potato crops has also been reported. He has instructed the Agriculture and Horticulture Department to conduct a survey of the affected areas. Teams of the Agriculture Department will soon reach every village and assess the damage.

Vegetable farming has been damaged due to unseasonal rains. There is a possibility of fruit yield also decreasing due to flower fall. Rain accompanied by hailstorm has increased the concern of farmers in Bhimtal, Dhari, Okhalkanda, Ramgarh, Dhanachuli, Mukteshwar and Betalghat areas. Harendra Singh, Narendra Bisht of Mukteshwar told that the fruits of peach, plum, apricot and pear have fallen. Crops of wheat, gram, lentils and barley have been completely destroyed in dozens of gram sabhas including Kaladhungi, Kotabagh, Bailpadav. Dialogue

Boon for mango litchi

While the unseasonal rains in Ramnagar have proved to be a boon for the mango and litchi crops, the wheat crop has been ruined by the rains. In Ramnagar, litchi is grown in 1100 hectares while mango is grown in 900 hectares. Horticulture Officer AS Parwal said that in this season, along with dust, dirt also accumulates on the trees. Due to this, there is a possibility of many diseases occurring in the trees. The risk of disease has reduced considerably as the mango and litchi trees were washed clean by the rain on Tuesday. This is expected to produce better crops.

Dhanachuli area has been inspected to assess the damage. Crops and fruits have been damaged. A report is being prepared on the basis of which compensation will be given. – Prema Rana, Chief Park Officer