Karnal/Ambala, Aug 8— A fast-spreading viral infection has triggered alarm among paddy farmers across Haryana, with thousands of acres affected by the Southern Rice Black Streak Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV) in major rice-growing districts including Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Kaithal, and Yamunanagar.
The virus, which causes severe stunting in paddy plants, has been confirmed by state agriculture officials, central agencies, and agricultural universities through field inspections. Farmers now fear massive yield losses, with many demanding special girdawari surveys and compensation for crop damage.
Deputy Director Agriculture (Ambala) Jasvinder Saini warned that yields could drop by up to 80% in affected fields if the virus is not addressed swiftly. He said farmers have been advised to uproot infected plants, bury them, and monitor fields closely, though the spread remains persistent.
District-wise data shows the virus has severely impacted:
- 5,000 acres in Karnal’s Assandh and Nissing blocks,
- 6,500 acres in Kurukshetra’s Ladwa and Pehowa, and
- 6,500 acres in Ambala’s Mullana, Saha, and Naraingarh blocks.
The virus has mostly affected early-sown non-basmati paddy varieties, particularly PR 114, PR 131, and PR 126, transplanted between June 15 and 20.
Farmers say despite using the recommended insecticides, nothing has worked. “There’s no cure,” said Isham Singh from Indri, Karnal, who sowed paddy on 11 acres. “We used to get 28–30 quintals per acre, now we may get only 14. Expenses are rising, and there’s no return.”
Sandeep Sharma, a farmer from Pehowa, said the situation is just as bad in neighboring districts. “My cousins in Ambala have lost a large portion of their crop. There’s no solution, and the government remains silent. We need urgent intervention.”
Despite initial advisories, farmers across the region continue to plough up and abandon infected fields, citing hopelessness. With the kharif season underway, the virus poses a significant threat to Haryana’s rice economy, especially in districts known for their early-transplanted, high-yielding varieties.
Farmers’ unions are expected to hold protests and submit memorandums in the coming days, demanding compensation, relief, and a coordinated virus management plan from the state government.
