Urges timely sowing, science-based crop protection and vigilance against counterfeit inputs

At a time when unseasonal hailstorms have disrupted Rabi harvests across several key agricultural states, CropLife India, the apex body representing leading R&D-driven crop science companies, has stepped forward with a timely Zaid Crop Advisory—urging farmers to adopt science-based practices and act swiftly during a season that could prove critical for stabilising farm incomes.

The advisory arrives against a backdrop of mounting challenges. Successive western disturbances have inflicted widespread damage on harvest-ready Rabi crops in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, prompting the Union Agriculture Minister to call for expedited crop loss assessments. In many regions, these disruptions have also delayed field preparation, compressing the already narrow Zaid sowing window.

Compounding these domestic challenges are global uncertainties. Ongoing disruptions to key shipping routes due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia have pushed up input costs, particularly in crop protection. While the Government’s temporary waiver of customs duties on select petrochemical inputs offers some relief, its full impact is expected to unfold over subsequent production cycles. Meanwhile, climate signals remain cautious—private forecaster Skymet projects a below-normal monsoon at around 94 per cent of the long-period average, with a 30 per cent probability of drought, while NOAA indicates a 62 per cent likelihood of El Niño conditions emerging between June and August.

In such a scenario, Zaid crop returns assume heightened importance as a financial buffer ahead of an uncertain Kharif season. Underscoring the urgency, Durgesh Chandra, Secretary General, CropLife India, noted that farmers who have incurred Rabi losses cannot afford delays in Zaid sowing. He emphasised the need for immediate, actionable measures—ranging from the selection of heat-tolerant crop varieties to ensuring timely irrigation cycles, moisture conservation through mulching, and vigilant pest monitoring. Summer conditions, he pointed out, accelerate pest lifecycles, making proactive management essential, particularly against threats such as red spider mites, aphids, and fruit flies. Residual soil moisture from recent rains also necessitates caution against fungal infections, further reinforcing the role of timely, need-based crop protection interventions aligned with Good Agricultural Practices.

Chandra also flagged the growing risk of counterfeit and substandard inputs entering the market amid supply chain volatility and price fluctuations. For short-duration Zaid crops, even a single ineffective application can lead to significant yield losses. Farmers, he advised, must procure inputs only from authorised dealers, verify authenticity, and adhere strictly to label instructions.

The advisory provides a comprehensive framework for managing key summer crops—including watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, bitter gourd, moong dal, and fodder maize—typically cultivated between March and June. It advocates early sowing to ensure harvests precede the monsoon, adoption of drip irrigation for water efficiency, use of organic or plastic mulch to retain soil moisture, and regular field monitoring supported by need-based crop protection. The integration of mechanisation to expedite land preparation and intercropping with legumes such as moong to sustain soil health are also highlighted as critical strategies.

Through this advisory, CropLife India reaffirms its commitment to enabling farmer resilience through timely guidance, responsible input use, and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices—at a moment when precision, preparedness, and informed decision-making are more vital than ever.