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Humidity threatens agricultural crops in the southeast/ Considerable damage to wheat and barley fields

2026-02-11 12:35:00, Sociale CNA

Humidity threatens agricultural crops in the southeast/ Considerable damage to

The heavy rainfall in recent weeks in the southeast has created serious problems in agricultural lands, especially for ancient crops such as wheat and barley. Excessive moisture and lack of drainage are directly endangering this season's yield, especially in lowland areas.

Agricultural specialists emphasize that drainage is the main condition for these crops to express their productive potential. Excess water in the soil damages roots, reduces microbiological activity and disrupts its structure, making plants more susceptible to disease.

"Wheat, barley and other crops must meet a number of conditions to express their productive activity. Among these conditions, the most important is drainage, due to the recent heavy rainfall. Excess water causes great damage to these crops: the roots remain on the surface, the microbiological activity of the soil decreases, its structure is destroyed by the excessive presence of water and the plants are more prone to disease", emphasizes Përparim Kuqo, Specialist at the Agricultural Technology Transfer Center.

Specialists are calling for urgent intervention to open and maintain drainage channels, as well as planning supplementary fertilization, to minimize losses.

"The drainage channels must be opened and be on standby at all times. This should be an urgent measure. Farmers should also plan for additional fertilization, because it is a necessary measure," says Kuqo.

The situation is more problematic in the Municipality of Maliq, where significant areas continue to be covered with water. If the wet situation continues, this year's yield for wheat and barley is expected to be limited, with a more pronounced impact on plots that have held water for a long time.

"The damage we have, especially in the Municipality of Maliqi, is quite considerable. There are still areas covered with water. Even in the Agricultural Technology Transfer Center, we have up to 2 hectares covered with water, despite the measures we have taken. This year's yield will be limited, especially in those plots that have retained moisture, more pronounced in the Municipality of Maliqi," said the specialist.

While fields in some areas continue to be covered by water, the challenge for farmers remains to return the land to normal production conditions. Specialists emphasize that only through immediate measures for drainage and increased agrotechnical care can the damage be mitigated, otherwise, the production of wheat and barley this year will be significantly lower in the most affected areas.

Under these conditions, farmers remain awaiting improved weather and rapid interventions in drainage systems, in the hope of saving as much of this year's production as possible. /CNA