Punjab flood aftermath: with investments of Rs 50,000 per acre, cauliflower farmers unsure about crop loss compensation

There is a patch near the international border where farmers prefer cauliflower to conventional paddy with more than double per acre investment. However, so far authorities are not clear how the Government would compensate them.

Gurnam Singh said, “Previously, crop damage happened in 1988, and we got a compensation of Rs 4,000 per acre at that time. In 2019, when the corridor was constructed, we received Rs 2,72,000 per acre in compensation from the NHAI (National Highway Authority of India). But there has been no specific parameters under which we would be compensated.”

Gurnam explained the financial burden, “The cost of growing cauliflower is around Rs 50,000 per acre, while for paddy it’s only Rs 10,000-15,000 per acre. We hope that cultivation costs are reimbursed, at the very least.”

The farmer also described the impact of floods and soil erosion on their land, “The land has been covered by sand deposits. With community support, We are spending lakhs of rupees on diesel for water pumping and land restoration to reclaim our fields.”

Responding to these concerns, Aditya Sharma, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Dera Baba Nanak, stated, “We have started categorising cauliflower as a special crop to help farmers. The Government is yet to finalise the compensation parameters, but assessments are underway to determine affected acreage.”

Sharma added, “The cultivation cost is around Rs 50,000 per acre, and potential profit is about Rs 2 lakh. Some farmers lease land at Rs 1 lakh per acre. We will factor these details when working out compensation.”

Asked about the compensation parameters for cauliflower, he said, “The Government holds the power to announce new compensation measures anytime. We are currently registering special crop losses carefully and will relay findings to the government for appropriate action.”

Farmers of Dera Baba Nanak await these measures with hope.

Suba Singh, another farmer, said, “The flood hit when the crop was almost ready. Our cauliflower is sold in Delhi also. Our land is blessed and its production is of high quality. If we can get fair compensation reflecting the high costs of cauliflower farming, it will be a big relief.”