Ludhiana, Jan 7 : The plummeting mercury accompanied by drizzle and fog in Punjab state may have been making things difficult for the common man, but it has delighted farmers, as they anticipate a higher yield of wheat this season.

According to agronomists, frost and foggy weather are favourable conditions for wheat. Presently, north India is reeling under cold wave.

Wheat is the major Rabi crop of north India. Punjab alone contributes 70 percent of the wheat in the granaries set up by the federal government.

Farmers are hoping that the cold wave prolongs for another fortnight since this would be much beneficial to them.

"The cold is very favourable for my crop which I have sown in eight acres. The frost and light drizzle would be very beneficial for the crop. The use of pesticides has also been minimal this time. We are expecting a good yield this season," said Baldev Singh, a farmer.

Given the current conditions, the yield can go up by 70 to 80 percent as compared to last year.

"I am very happy that the dry cold has ended and with the frost and a drizzle, the conditions have become very favourable for the wheat crop," said Gurinder Singh, a farmer.

Cold accompanied by moisture in the form of frost or fog strengthens the roots of the wheat, noted an agronomist of Punjab Agriculture University.

The maximum temperature in the first week of January has been in the range of 4 degrees Celsius while the minimum touched the mark 2.5 degrees Celsius.

Recently, several parts of Punjab also received rainfall of 18.4 mm much above the average of 2.9 mm.

In the ensuing harvesting season, the farmers are optimistic of a substantial rise in the quantity as well as quality of wheat.

As per the statistics compiled by the state''s Department of Agriculture, last year the average yield of wheat was 44 quintals per acre. (ANI)