Agriculture expert Muzafer Luma, says for “Portalin Ferma Ime” ("My Farm Portal") that the precipitation of snow in recent days can not do major damage to different agricultural crops. According to him, damage may occur if temperatures are below zero. "These rainfalls do not cause damages if the rain does not last long, but if temperatures fall, then this moisture is transformed into ice crystals will amage the plant cells. Otherwise, the precipitations provide temporary stress to the plants that need time for them to recover. But based on the forecasts, those precipitations are transitory, "he said.
According to Luma, temperatures and humidity also hinder pollination, the flowers can also fall, and then tree flowers may not form the fruits. "From the precipitation of snow most vulnerable are trees that are in bloom and unless temperatures fall bellow zero and does not last long there is no damage," says Muzafer Luma, who is pursuing doctoral studies in Agriculture at the University of Tirana.
But according to him, the precipitation of snow except damages, they also have benefits especially for cereals. "But the rainfall for some cultures, are also very useful because it provided hitherto lacked moisture. Especially when we consider that we are on the verge of feno stages of different cultures when humidity is necessary", said Luma.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD), said that the climatic conditions that rule these days and are expected to continue throughout the week if accompanied by temperatures below -1 degrees, then is expected to cause major damage to most agricultural crops.
But even in these conditions the effects may be different to agroculture crops and can have side effects, especially if a small flood. The risk that comes from snow can be greater to all the fruit trees that are now at the stage of flowering or fruit connectivity, but also threatened the vineyards that are already in the stage of vegetation and can suffer damage to the buds production said for the "My Farm" portal, the Agriculture Ministry spokesman, Adil Behramaj.
According to him, exposed to the risk are some of vegetable crops that are planted in the open field. If temperatures are still falling, example; potatoes, which has sprung in Dukagjini Plains, but also planted vegetables in greenhouses, especially cucumbers that are among the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, for the grain, even if the weather deteriorates there are no damages done. Once the conditions permit on the ground, our teams will emerge and will evaluate the assessment of the impact if there was evidence of damage”, said Behramaj. While, Kosova Hydrometeorological Institute (KHI), has shown that temperatures will continue to increase steadily. "Rainfall will continue through Saturday. Temperatures will be increased for 2 to 3 degrees celsius. Since the temperature is not expected to fall below zero, it does not present any danger to agriculture crops”, said for “Portalin Ferma Ime” (“My Farm Portal") Besim Aliu from the Kosova Hydrometeorology Institute.
The snow, which fell last days in the country can not damage crops, just in case that continues to fall with greater intensity and if temperatures fall below minus then could affect some damage to orchards and vegetable crops. Experts in the field say the damage may be caused to the trees that are in bloom while there may be benefits for grains, especially wheat.
