Sweat, Sun & Soaring Costs: Paddy Sowing Hits a Summer Snag in Punjab

India: With temperatures climbing above 46°C in certain parts of Punjab, the state's paddy transplantation season is severely suffering. The "severe" heatwave, as classified by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), has not only strained the power grid but also pushed back farming activities, including paddy sowing.

 

Although the government has extended the transplantation window to June 1, farmers are finding it difficult to recruit laborers who are ready to work in the hot sun. Migrant workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, which are traditionally the backbones of Punjab's paddy farming, are said to be unwilling to work during the peak heat hours, causing delay and higher expenses.

 

Farmer associations report that labor rates have risen to ₹6,000–₹7,000 per acre for locals, with migrant workers—typically ₹4,000–₹4,500—at a premium. The issue is compounded by an all-time high power demand, which hit 16,838 MW this week, with irrigation pumps and coolers running at full capacity2.

 

Experts warn that if the heatwave persists, it can dislocate the whole sowing calendar, impacting production and water management. The IMD has even issued a red alert for Punjab, asking people to exercise caution in indoor activities during the scorching afternoon.

 

Such a break from normality brought to the fore the exposed nature of climate-sensitive agriculture and the need for adaptation measures in one of India's most vital grain-producing states.

 

Sources: The Tribune, Indian Express, MSN,IMD, Kisan India