Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian has urged the Central government to dispatch a high-level team to evaluate the devastation caused by unseasonal heavy rainfall and hailstorms on wheat and other Rabi crops in the state. Khudian emphasized the significant impact of adverse weather conditions on wheat cultivation, which was anticipated to yield a bumper crop on 35 lakh hectares. However, continuous rainfall and hailstorms have led to substantial damage, plunging the farming community into distress.
The state Agriculture Department’s initial assessment revealed crop losses on over 1.30 lakh acres, with the damage escalating due to ongoing rain, potentially increasing the final tally. The repercussions extend beyond wheat, affecting vegetables, fodder, and various Rabi crops in districts like Fazilka, Ferozepur, Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, and Mansa. The livelihoods of farmers and the state’s agrarian economy are under threat due to these crop losses.
Khudian disclosed that a special ‘girdawari’ has been ordered by the state to evaluate the crop damage. Given the magnitude of losses and the financial burden on farmers, he has requested immediate relief and compensation from the Centre. Stressing the urgency of a detailed assessment, Khudian called for a Central team while affirming the state government’s commitment to assisting farmers and providing full cooperation to the assessment team.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal has urged unity among Punjabis to aid distressed farmers whose standing wheat crop has suffered damage across 1.25 lakh acres. Badal announced a comprehensive plan to distribute wheat, dry, and green fodder to affected farmers starting after April 20. The party is establishing collection points for relief materials, which will then be distributed in affected villages. Additionally, balers will be provided free of cost to affected farmers to create bales in their fields for extra income. SAD aims to support small farmers whose vegetable produce has been impacted by the hailstorms.
