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Rain gives sigh of relief to farmers
LAHORE A much awaited rainfall during past couple of days gave
a sigh of relief to the farmers, apparently bringing an end to
the dry-spell at least for the time being.
Agriculture experts said that the rain would help wheat plants
groom during this very important stage of the crop. During
February, they said, wheat crop was in tillering and shooting
phase of development. They maintained that the rain was a gift
from the God as it would have a positive impact on crops
particularly the food staple–wheat.
Owing to unprecedented water shortage, crop condition was not
normal throughout the country, as the long dry spell has
affected the growth of tillers of wheat. The experts believed
that recent rainfall would help in diminishing adverse affects
of historic scarcity of canal water. They said that the rain
would also benefit farmers in sowing of sugarcane crop.
An Irrigation expert said that due to up to 70 per cent low
water inflows in rivers, the early sowing wheat, which
constitutes a major chunk of total wheat cultivated in the
current season in the province, could only get three waters,
which is considered essential for its growth. While rest of
the crop could not get three essential watering due to
unprecedented scarcity of water. An agriculture experts said
that before the water shortage, wheat crop is usually
irrigated five times.
According to Met office, during past couple of days 8.8 mm
rainfall recorded at Jehlum, 5.0 mm at Sialkot, 3.2 mm in
Islamabad, 3.5 in Saghodha, 3.0 in D I khan, 3 in Lahore while
traces in Faisalabad and Multan. While heavy rain and snowfall
were recorded in the cathchment area which would help in
increase in river inflows in days to come.
The Met experts said that amount of rainfall equal to or more
than 5 mm received in a day is known as agrometeorologcally
significant amount as far as water requirements of crops is
concerned.
The rain was below normal at most of the low elevation
agricultural plains of the country. The weather remained
somewhat dry throughout the country during past couple of
months. The Met officials termed this weather as an average
condition for the growth of the standing crops.
However, it left a healthy climate in areas where rainfall
recorded, because of light to moderate rain,due to which the
atmosphere becomes clear and bright sunshine is available for
the photosynthesis process.
Local Met office forecast a few thunderstorm with chances of
rain in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpinid and Multan divisions
during next 24 hours.
24 February 2002
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Pakissan.com;
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