Bihar
Cold and Fog in Bihar Hits Rabi Crops
- 06 Feb 2024
- 2 min read
Why in News?
According to agriculture department officials, preliminary assessments from various districts in Bihar indicated that intense cold and fog damaged potato and mustard the most, followed by lentils. However, there are no significant reports of damage to wheat crops.
Key Points
- Scientists at Krishi Vigayan Kendra (KVK) in different districts confirmed damage of Rabi crops due to the cold wave and cold day conditions that lasted for days.
- They highlighted the adverse effects of late sowing on yield and production, particularly with the changing climate.
- Late-sown potato crops reported damage ranging from 25 to 40%, while early-sown potato crops faced a 15% damage. Mustard crops also suffered damage between 10 to 15%.
- The challenge faced by farmers is that they harvest paddy until December and then begin sowing rabi crops, including mustard and potato, either in mid-December or early January, exposing them to severe cold conditions.
- The extended cold spell and reduced sunshine during the day have affected rabi crops. These conditions have negatively impacted the growth, flowering and yield-making process, leading to widespread reports of Jhulsa Rog in potatoes. However, wheat crops remain largely unaffected.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
- KVK is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The first KVK was established in 1974 at Puducherry.
- The mandate of KVK is technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development.
- It aims at assessment of location specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.
- KVKs also produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers.
- The KVK scheme is 100% financed by the Government of India and the KVKs are sanctioned to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, related Government Departments and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) working in Agriculture.
