Crops in over 90% talukas damaged by unseasonal rains in Gujarat, primary estimates show

A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said that the primary estimates had drawn up losses in more than 16,000 villages of 249 talukas, which means agricultural produce in almost over 90 per cent of the talukas in the state was affected by the unseasonal rain.

“The state government has taken up the task of announcing a generous relief package very soon after the survey of losses is over,” the release stated.

Last week, the Gujarat government estimated that around 10 lakh hectares of agricultural land was impacted by the unseasonal rain and is currently conducting a survey to assess losses for compensating the farmers. The government also put off the procurement by MSP of kharif crops such as moong, soybean, groundnut and blackbeans that was supposed to start from November 1.

On Monday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited some affected villages of Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts to assess the losses sustained by the farmers while also listening to their plight, even as it continued to rain in other parts of the state. The government has also assured the farmers of a generous relief package soon – after the survey of losses is completed.

Barad tells The Indian Express, “Considering estimated income of around Rs 50,000 per bigha, you can calculate my loss (Rs 8.50 lakhs); leave aside my expenditure on buying seeds, sowing, cultivating, weeding etc.. This is the second consecutive year that I have faced loss from this unseasonal rain”.

Barad said that while this unseasonal rain is a big blow to big farmers, it is disastrous for small farmers.

“For small farmers having two-five bigha land, it’s over. After this loss, they are facing the problem of even buying seeds for the upcoming Rabi season. I believe farmers across Gujarat are facing losses. I also believe that there is no other alternative than agriculture debt waiver if the government wants to help the farmers. A mere relief package to give some amount won’t be enough. So, I demand farm debt waiver for all farmers for the current year,” he said.

The CMO statement said that following instructions from the CM, the agriculture department in coordination with other departments has already started the survey of affected areas and the survey work has been completed in 70% affected areas. And survey work is on in other affected areas 24X7 to complete the same at the earliest.

The statement read, “With a view that the farmers can be provided assistance expeditiously owing to the losses in unseasonal rain, more than 4800 teams are doing the survey work in affected districts on war footing.”

On Monday, the CM visited Kadvasan village of Gir Somnath district and Panidra village of Junagadh district while doing spot inspection to assess the losses sustained by farmers and also listened to the plight of the farmers, as per the statement.

During his visit to Gir Somnath and Junagadh districts, the CM was also accompanied by ministers Arjun Modhwadia, Pradyuman Vaja and Kaushik Vekariya.

As per the release, “The CM gave assurance to the farmers and told them that the government is standing by them with compassion and is working with the commitment to bring them out from the losses expeditiously.”

Digital survey suspended

Meanwhile, sources in the government said that initially there was a digital survey that was launched which had to be suspended as it made the assessment of losses difficult and officials were directed to survey the farms physically, as per sources.

“Without any written orders, the district authorities started surveying the losses using technology taking into account a previous digital crop survey circular issued by the government in the month of September. Since digital surveys do not work in such damages, they were directed to stop digital surveys and do it physically,” an official told this paper.

According to the September circular, agricultural officers were directed to complete the process in 20 days. Conduct crop loss surveys using satellite imagery and send data to district authorities within 12 days, compare digital and satellite surveys and submit findings to collectors within a week.

So far, government sources revealed that the survey is complete in most parts of the state. And it is expected to be over by Tuesday in around four-five districts including the Saurashtra region where the losses were massive. Following this, a relief package is expected to be announced by the state government.

Amid this, many farmers are complaining of heavy losses owing to the unseasonal rain and are demanding farm debt waiver while saying that merely a relief package will not be enough.

Rains continue

The unseasonal rain, meanwhile, continues in parts of Gujarat.

On Monday, a few talukas of Kutch, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Bharuch, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Mehsana, Panchmahal and Banaskantha continued to receive rainfall. From 6 am till 6 pm, Anjar in Kutch recorded the highest of 81 mm followed by Ghogha in Bhavnagar 33 mm and Karjan in Vadodara 19 mm.

In the last 24 hours ending Monday 5 pm, Dwarka in Devbhoomi Dwarka received 35 mm, Bhavnagar 22 mm, Lalpur in Jamnagar, Vadali in Sabarkantha and Morbi received 20 mm each.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast of light to moderate rain with thundershowers on Tuesday in the districts of Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad, Amreli, Bhavnagar and Gir Somnath.