In Picture: Wet Spell In Punjab, 2023

 

 

Damaged crops near Sharaqpur, Punjab, Pakistan (March 31, 2023)

In ancient times agriculture was at the heart of economy and religion. A good yield was an indicator of a Just king and a bad of a tyrant. The western part of Punjab which received very little rain was irrigated through the network of canals in the late 19^th and early 20^th century. The yield pattern of five years was common knowledge. It consisted of a good year followed by a bad year and three years of neither good nor bad. Even with the technological advancements of the 20th century, agriculture is very much dependent on the forces of nature.  Climate, change is challenging the collective rural wisdom of centuries. 

The recent wet spell is welcomed in rain-fed agricultural regions. However, in most of the districts, unexpected losses due to strong winds and hail have damaged the crops.