SRINAGAR: Around 50% of vegetable crops this year has been damaged in Kashmir, farmers have said.
Farmers across Kashmir said that the hot and humid climate followed by rains have sprouted diseases in several vegetables this year due to which the product is getting damaged. They said that due to erratic weather conditions, diseases have sprouted in tomatoes, collards, chilies, beans, and other vegetables thereby affecting the quality and quantity.
Due to erratic weather, these crops are developing black spots and vegetables are yellowing and in some cases plants are also drying up, said Javaid Ahmad, a farmer from Pulwama.
He said that this year it rains almost every day, however, the temperature remains high as well, which leads to the sprouting of diseases in crops. Farmers said that the weather has also affected sun drying of vegetables.
They said that vegetables get damaged due to rains whenever they peel them and leave for sun drying. Officials said that diseases are sprouting because of climate change as moisture along with humidity is high. They said that farmers must adopt some control measures besides that they must take care of drainage, crop density and space between plants as well.
