What are some ways to Protect Farm Crops from Various Weather Conditions?

Weather conditions are one of the most critical elements affecting both the quantity as well as the quality of agrarian yield. You know you can’t control the weather. However, with modern solutions, you can combat various weather conditions and protect your crops against them. So, in this view, you will look at the different ways of safeguarding your crops against weather vagaries.

The Different Types of Weather Conditions:

At the outset, let us enlist the most common weather conditions confronting Indian farmers, and affecting crops. Doing so will help you have a clear and better understanding of the ways to tackle the various weather conditions.

-          Floods

-          Droughts

-          Hailstorms

-          Un-seasonal Rains

Solutions to Protect Farm Crop from 4 Different Weather Conditions:

1.       Floods

Floods can flood your farm during very heavy rains, and especially when your land spread is proximal to a river. Sudden floods don’t give time to think, and act, and which is why they prove more detrimental than anything. Of course, you can’t completely stop floodwater from entering your field. But, you can minimize the damage through a few organized solutions, and in fact, let adversity work to your benefit.

-          Lower Edge Deep Drains: Creating a deep drain alongside the lower edge of the farmland will help you drain excess water safely into the nearby pond or in the soil. This technique helps increase your soil water content.

-          Ridges and Furrow Farming System: Furrows are another way of draining excess water in a water reservoir. The excess drained water can be later used for irrigation purposes.

2.       Droughts

Droughts are a commonly occurring phenomenon in India. A large cultivable area of the country remains affected by droughts, which affects the quantity of the agricultural produce of the country. But, you can prepare for droughts in advance. Considering factors such as rainfall shortage, you can take the following measures to lower the losses resulting from the drought-ridden situation.

-          Rainwater Harvesting: This is the most obvious solution to minimize the drought effect. Ideally, a farm pond or the reservoir must occupy around 5-10% of the farmland to ensure adequate storage of rainwater. It helps you use the stored water during dry spells to ensure continuous water supply to the crops.

-          Mulching: Mulching involves covering the space between crops with a dry crop residue, which helps retain the soil moisture. It keeps crop growth unaffected through the drought period.

3.       Hailstorms

Hailstorms are a sudden occurrence, destroying the entire crop spread. However, using live windbreaks, with bamboo rows, or other protective plants in the form of sheets on your crops can protect your produce from the strong winds, and thus reduce the damage.

4.       Un-Seasonal Rains

Often, unexpected rains leave farmers in despair, as they are mostly unprepared for it. Some experts suggest using chemicals to protect crops. However, that isn’t safe and unaffordable for a lot of average Indian farmers. You can’t do much about unexpected rains. But, you can lower the risk by following the weather forecast and plan to farm accordingly. Digital farming is the way out here!

Netafim’s agricultural and irrigation expertise continues to help farmers safeguard their farms, and make farming a profitable profession through modern irrigation techniques and digital farming. If you wish to protect and improve your agricultural produce through precision irrigation and smart farming, connect with Netafim