New Delhi: As the monsoon intensifies across the country, the India Meteorological Department has issued heavy rainfall alerts for more than 17 states between August 6 and August 11. To prevent massive agricultural losses, meteorological experts and agricultural scientists are urging farmers to immediately modify their irrigation and fertilizer application schedules based on the incoming weather patterns.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds, is expected to batter states including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. In light of this forecast, continuing with a pre planned farming schedule could lead to severe crop damage and financial losses.
Agricultural experts strongly advise farmers to halt all irrigation activities and fertilizer applications when rain is anticipated. Applying fertilizers right before a heavy downpour is futile, as the rain will wash away the nutrients before the plants can absorb them. Similarly, spraying pesticides just before rainfall renders the chemicals useless, as they get washed off the leaves, leading to a total waste of money and manual labor. Farmers are advised to wait for clear weather to apply any agricultural chemicals.
Extra caution is necessary for farmers cultivating standing crops like paddy, maize, soybean, cotton, and pulses. Experts suggest checking soil moisture and closely monitoring local weather forecasts before making any farming decisions. Misjudging the weather and watering fields on cloudy days can lead to severe waterlogging within hours, especially in fields with heavy soil. To prevent roots from rotting, farmers must ensure proper drainage by opening field channels and clearing excess water, as recommended by the weather department.
The heavy rains also pose a significant threat to vegetables and horticultural crops. Strong winds and excessive moisture can cause plants to collapse, stems to break, and fruits to rot. To mitigate this, vegetables like tomatoes, chilies, and eggplants require immediate structural support. Furthermore, farmers are advised to harvest any mature crops immediately before the weather deteriorates to maintain produce quality and prevent economic setbacks.
By closely following daily weather updates and managing water drainage efficiently, farmers can protect their crops and minimize the impact of extreme monsoon weather.