Frost Threatens Chickpea Crops in Sidhi: Farmers Use Smoke Remedy to Protect Harvest

• Severe cold wave in Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh, is damaging rabi crops, particularly chickpeas, causing flower drop and pod drying.
• Farmer Vimlesh Verma is using night irrigation and smoke generation in fields to combat frost damage.
• Dr. Ved Prakash Singh explains that smoke from burning straw creates a greenhouse effect, trapping heat around the crops.
• The smoke layer acts as a protective shield, slightly raising field temperature and preventing direct frost impact.
• Mansukh Lal Kushwaha advises combining smoke with night irrigation, moisture maintenance, and weather monitoring for best results.

Why It Matters: Sidhi farmers use traditional smoke and irrigation methods to protect chickpea crops from frost.