India: Prolonged cold and fog spell in Bihar hit Rabi crops, but wheat yield may benefit

A long spell of fog and cold in January 2024 has affected Rabi crops like potato, mustard and lentil in Bihar. Farmers and agricultural scientists are concerned that the meteorological factor will likely impact production of these crops. However, wheat (a major Rabi crop in the state) is not affected by long, intensely cold and foggy nights. Agriculture scientists pointed out that such weather benefits wheat, predicting a bumper harvest of the crop in the eastern state. 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. “According to farmer feedback, the potato crop in Rohtas district has been the most severely impacted by inclement weather last month. It is estimated that 20 to 25 per cent of the potato crop is damaged and more than 10 per cent of the mustard crop is damaged. Thankfully, no such damage was reported to wheat crops,” Ratan Kumar, scientist at KVK, Rohtas, ...