CHAKWAL: Abdul Malik from Dhoke Kumhari was expecting a bumper wheat crop this year thanks to timely winter rains but hailstorm in parts of Talagang tehsil on April 6 destroyed wheat and other crops like grams and lentils in large portion.

“I cultivated wheat on eight acres and was expecting at least 235 maunds of wheat along with husk. But more than half of the crop has been eliminated due to hailstorm while the rest was also affected badly,” a distressed Abdul Malik told Dawn.

“I have been devastated as agriculture my only source of income,” Malik adds in a depressing tone.

Dhoke Kumhari is a sub-village which is part of Thoha Mahram Khan, the largest village of Chakwal district having a population of 29,564. Thoha Mahram Khan, located some 60km away from Chakwal city, consists of dozens of small hamlets.

“The centre of hailstorm was Thoha Mahram Khan and its adjoining areas,” tells Ghulam Shah a farmer from Thoha Mahram Khan.

Mohammad Altaf, a farmer from Dhoke Rawali, cultivated wheat crop on seven acres and like other farmers of the area was expecting a good yield. But he has lost his crop on six acres. “Nothing has been left for us,” moans distressed Altaf.

Deputy Director of Chakwal Agriculture Department Mohammad Aslam has prepared a report of damage done to the wheat crop in the area.

According to the report, a copy of which was available with Dawn, wheat crop was cultivated on an area of 11,800 acres in the union council of Thoha Mahram Khan of which 270 acres have been damaged by 25pc due to hailstorm while 50pc of the crop has been destroyed on an area of 80 acres.

The report maintained that other areas like Pirafathehal, Jhatla and Chinji were also affected by hailstorm but without any major loss.

The farmers of the area while talking to Dawn have sought compensation from the government.

“We belong to an arid area where you cannot make much money from agriculture rather you hardly earn your bread and butter through this profession.

What you will do if your staple crop is hit by a calamity, asks Abdul Malik.

“The government must pay attention to our plight,” says Munir Ahmed another farmer who lost his whole crop.

When contacted, Deputy Director Agriculture Department Mohammad Aslam told Dawn that he had sent a detailed report the higher authorities in Lahore.

“We are trying our best to compensate the farmers whose crop has been destroyed by hailstorm,” Mr. Aslam maintained.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2019