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Journalism of Courage
Frost has hit vegetables, especially potatoes, in Punjab, Haryana and Northern Rajasthan. A day after Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said that agriculture growth would cross 3 per cent, experts estimated that almost 50 per cent potato, tomato and brinjal crop was affected in Punjab. Potato is in harvesting stage and its price may increase in coming days, fear experts.
Besides, oilseeds, mustard, cauliflower and peas are hit.
‘‘Frost causes cell fracture and consequently chlorophyll comes out,’’ said Dr Mangala Rai, DG, Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR). “Crops wilted under frost, which occurred when temperature dipped to 0.2 degree Celsius in the last few days,” added Rao.
Massive damage has been reported in Punjab. A S Siddhu, Head of Vegetable Department, Punjab Agriculture University, said, “In potato varieties sown early damage is estimated to be 20-50 per cent, and in the later ones more than 50 per cent.” In Punjab, potato is grown over 74,000 hectare and tomato 6,500 hectare. Annual state potato production is around 14 lakh tonne and tomato 1.87 lakh. “Brinjal, and peas and cauliflower have been damaged by 50 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.
