Chandigarh, April 8 Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Wednesday appealed to the Centre to promptly send a high-level team to assess the damage caused to wheat and other Rabi crops from recent heavy rainfall and hailstorms in the state.
With significant losses and the financial burden on farmers, the minister has requested immediate relief and compensation from the Centre.
In a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Khudian highlighted the severe impact of recent inclement weather on wheat crops in the state, stating that wheat was sown on 3.5 million hectares during the current Rabi season, which initially promised a bumper yield. However, continuous rainfall and hailstorms have caused considerable damage, pushing the farming community into deep distress.
"According to the preliminary assessment by the state agriculture department, crop loss has been reported on over 1.30 lakh acres. The damage is spreading as rain continues, and the final figure may rise," Khudian informed.
Khudian further explained that the damage extends beyond wheat; vegetables, fodder, and other Rabi crops have also been affected across several districts, including Fazilka, Ferozepur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, and Mansa.
This crop loss poses a significant threat to farmers' livelihoods and the state's agrarian economy.
Detailing the efforts afoot by the Punjab government in the face of the crisis, Khudian informed that the state has already ordered a special girdawari (crop loss assessment) to assess the crop damage.
Khudian emphasised the urgent need for a central team to conduct a detailed assessment and assured that the state government remains committed to supporting its farmers and will provide all necessary cooperation to the team.