Dry spell may hit paddy yield by 15%

PANAJI: A continuing phase of weak to moderate rainfall activity for over two months and a troublesome five-day dry spell at a crucial stage has worried the state agriculture department, as it expects a 15% decline in paddy cultivation this season.

The agriculture department is planning to undertake an evaluation next week to assess the impact of the petering rainfall activity on the paddy crop in the state.

“We expect a 15% to 20% effect on yield,” director agriculture department Nelson Figueiredo said, adding that with the crop in varying stages of maturing across Goa, rain was much needed now.

The paddy crop in upland areas where water stagnation is minimal is likely to be worst hit. “The crop is showing quite a bit of stress (in these areas),” he said.

Paddy as a crop needs huge quantities of water in its panicle-initiation stage, which is followed by the formation of milk and grain.

“During this last phase, also called the milky stage, dough stage and grain-formation stage, any water stress results in empty earheads and low yield,” the agronomist said.