CropLife India, representing pesticide manufacturers, has issued a cautionary advisory urging farmers to make the most of the current zaid cropping season following significant losses to rabi crops caused by unseasonal rain and hailstorms. The zaid season, occurring between rabi and kharif, is seen as a crucial period for farmers to recuperate income after the adverse weather events affected multiple states.

The recent adverse weather, including successive western disturbances, has damaged harvest-ready rabi crops across Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and others. These disruptions also delayed field preparations for zaid crops in several regions. In response, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed officials to expedite coordinated assessments of crop losses to gauge the full impact.

Durgesh Chandra, Secretary General of CropLife India, emphasized the importance of timely sowing to maximize yields during this shorter season. He advised farmers to select heat-tolerant crop varieties and maintain irrigation intervals of five to seven days. Additional recommendations included the use of mulching to conserve soil moisture and vigilant monitoring for pests such as red spider mites, aphids, and fruit flies, which tend to proliferate with rising temperatures.

With residual moisture still present from the recent rains, the advisory also highlighted the increased risk of fungal diseases. CropLife India stressed the need for judicious and timely application of crop protection products, following label instructions and good agricultural practices, to safeguard yields in this narrow growing window.

The organization also noted economic challenges stemming from international developments, particularly disruptions in global supply chains and key shipping routes linked to ongoing conflicts in West Asia. These factors have contributed to rising costs of agricultural inputs, including crop protection products. While the government’s move to temporarily waive customs duties on essential petrochemical inputs is expected to provide relief, the full impact on input affordability is likely to be observed only in future production cycles.

Looking ahead, the outlook for the monsoon season remains uncertain, underscoring the financial importance of achieving successful returns during the zaid season as a buffer ahead of the kharif crops. CropLife India’s advisory aims to provide farmers with actionable guidance to mitigate losses and capitalize on this critical growth period amid challenging conditions.