The Agriculture Department in Rajasthan has issued a crucial advisory to farmers in three districts, urging immediate action to protect standing crops from the severe cold and frost conditions expected this winter season. The advisory, issued on Tuesday, specifically targets farmers in the districts of Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, and Tonk.
Why This Advisory is Critical for Farmers
Joint Director of Agriculture, Vinod Kumar Jain, highlighted the severe threat posed by the cold wave. He pointed out that frost conditions have caused extensive damage to winter crops in previous years. The impact is multifaceted: frost leads to the withering and dropping of leaves and flowers, causes semi-ripe fruits to shrink, results in poor grain formation in pods and ears, and shrivels grains that are still in the formation stage. This can drastically reduce yield and quality, hitting farmers' incomes hard.
Immediate Steps to Shield Crops from Frost
The department has directed all agriculture supervisors to remain in the field and actively guide farmers. Jain outlined several practical, on-ground measures that farmers should implement without delay.
For high-value or vulnerable plants in nurseries, kitchen gardens, and small plots of cash vegetables, farmers should cover them using gunny sacks, polythene sheets, or straw. This creates an insulating layer that prevents a sharp fall in soil temperature around the plants.
Another key recommendation is the installation of windbreak screens on the north-west side of fields, which is the direction from which cold winds typically blow. For nurseries and fields with high-value crops, these screens should be tied along the edges of beds. Crucially, they must be removed during the daytime to allow sunlight to reach the plants.
Light irrigation is also advised when frost conditions are likely. Moist soil retains heat for a longer duration compared to dry soil, preventing a sudden temperature drop around the crop roots and stems, thereby offering protection.
Chemical Solutions and Long-Term Planning
Beyond physical barriers, the advisory suggests specific sprays to fortify crops. Jain recommended spraying a 0.2% soluble sulphur solution (2 grams per litre of water) during frost-prone days, ensuring thorough coverage. The protective effect of this spray lasts about two weeks, and it can be repeated at 15-day intervals if cold conditions persist. An alternative is to use a thiourea solution at 500 ppm (0.5 gram per litre of water).
Spraying sulphur on key winter crops like mustard, wheat, gram, potato, and peas offers a dual benefit. It not only shields them from frost damage but also improves iron activity within the plants. This enhances the crop's natural disease resistance and can promote early ripening.
For a sustainable, long-term defence mechanism, farmers are advised to plant rows of hardy windbreak trees such as mulberry, shisham, babul, khejri, and ardu along the north-western bunds of their fields. These trees will act as permanent barriers, reducing the velocity and impact of cold winds and frost over the coming years.
The Bottom Line for Rajasthan's Agriculturists
The proactive advisory from the Agriculture Department underscores the significant risk the winter cold poses to the rabi harvest. By combining immediate protective actions like covering plants and light irrigation with strategic sprays and long-term agroforestry, farmers in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, and Tonk can significantly mitigate potential losses. Heeding this expert guidance is essential for safeguarding their hard work and ensuring a stable yield despite the challenging weather.
