New Delhi, April 10: Unseasonal weather patterns have resulted in the destruction of standing crops across nearly 2.5 lakh hectares, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan announced on Friday. Providing an update ahead of the Unnat Krishi Mahotsav, Chouhan stated that the government is working to finalize the damage reports as hailstorms continue to affect various parts of the country.
The minister affirmed that the statistics available as of April 7 highlight a significant impact on the rabi season, with wheat being the most affected commodity. He declared that he has already instructed officials to gather granular data from every affected state to ensure no farmer is left without support. Chouhan maintained that the primary goal of the ministry at this stage is to stand by the cultivators and mitigate the financial impact of the natural calamity.
In a series of high-level meetings, Chouhan collaborated with regional agriculture ministers to evaluate the severity of the crop failure. He asserted that the government is prepared to take all requisite steps to address the grievances of the agricultural sector. The minister also noted that the current assessment is a preliminary step in a larger relief strategy.
Current weather advisories suggest that the challenges for the farming sector may persist, with a predicted temperature decline of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in the northwest by the end of the week. Heavy rain alerts have been extended to include Puducherry and parts of Kerala, complicating the ongoing harvest season.
Agricultural authorities have advised farmers in vulnerable areas, including Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, to utilize protective netting for vegetable plots. The IMD affirmed that harvesting matured produce without delay is essential to safeguard the remaining yield from the predicted atmospheric disturbances.
