The Rabi crops, cultivated by farmers with months of hard work, expense, and dedication, are now facing the brunt of untimely rains, strong storms, and hailstorms. The sudden change in weather in many states has caused significant damage to standing crops. Meanwhile, Union Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a high-level meeting on Friday to review the crop damage. He directed an immediate survey of the damage and necessary action.
The activation of a Western Disturbance resulted in snowfall in the high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, while rain, strong winds, and hailstorms have caused extensive damage to Rabi crops in many parts of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Mustard harvesting has already begun in many areas, while the wheat crop is in the grain-filling and ripening stages. Heavy rain and hailstorms have increased the risk of ear bending, lodging, grain blackening, and quality degradation. Pulse crops like chickpea and lentils have also been affected, leading to fears of a decline in production.
Dr. J.S. Samra, former DDG (NRM) at ICAR, told Rural Voice that the heavy rain and hailstorm have severely damaged the early mustard and wheat crops ready for harvest. Waterlogging in the fields has caused the crops to collapse. This will adversely affect the quality of the produce and delay harvesting.
Neeraj Chaudhary, a progressive farmer from Butana village in Haryana's Karnal district, says that this excessive rainfall on the standing mustard and wheat crops will result in at least a 20% yield loss. This rain has become a disaster for farmers.
Farmers say that unusual heat in late February and early March had already affected their crops, and now unseasonal rains have compounded their woes. Farmers in various states have demanded that the government conduct a prompt survey of the losses and provide adequate compensation.
The All India Kisan Sabha (All India Kisan Sabha) has targeted the central and state governments, accusing them of deliberately underreporting farmers' losses and insensitively issuing relief measures. The Kisan Sabha has demanded that the central government announce a comprehensive relief package for all affected farmers and immediately release compensation.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds review meeting
Union Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a high-level meeting on Friday to review the crop damage caused by untimely rains and hailstorms in several states. He directed immediate surveys of crop damage and necessary action. States are being contacted immediately to assess the damage. The Agriculture Minister stated that state governments are providing relief under the SDRF, while Crop Insurance Scheme officials have been instructed to conduct scientific surveys and provide relief to farmers.
The Agriculture Minister stated, "To prepare for the upcoming Kharif season, we have decided to organize regional conferences in various regions of the country to develop better strategies for Kharif crops based on local needs. To do this, the country will be divided into five zones (North, South, West, East, and North-East/Hill States). Regional conferences will be held to develop better strategies for Kharif crops."
The Union Minister issued necessary instructions in the meeting to ensure smooth procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He stated that the Rabi crop has been bumper this year. Wheat and paddy procurement will begin soon, along with full procurement of tur, lentils, and urad. We will purchase whatever amount the farmers wish to sell.