Question : Losses due to Flood

(a) whether the Government has assessed losses incurred by farmers in flood-prone States, including Assam, due to flood and related calamities;
(b) if so, the details thereof including hectares of cropped land and number of farming families affected, State-wise and year-wise from 2011 to 2021;
(c) whether the Government is taking any steps to provide economic relief to farming families which are adversely affected by flooding and related calamities in the North East in May and June 2022 and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is taking any steps to improve access and uptake of flood-tolerant varieties of rice grains such as Bahadur Sub-1 and Ranjit Sub-1 and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government is taking any measures for the adoption of climate-proofing or flood-resilient mechanisms in agriculture in flood-prone States and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) whether the Government has any proposal to waive-off agricultural loan of the farmers of Assam and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) to (c): The estimation of losses incurred by farmers in flood-prone States is done by the concerned State Governments. As per information provided by the States, crop area affected due to hydro-meteorological calamities during the years 2015-16 to 2021-22, is at Annexure.


The State Government is primarily responsible for providing necessary relief measures in the wake of natural calamities, including flood. For undertaking relief measures, funds are available with the State Government in the form of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of a severe nature and is approved on the basis of a Memorandum received from the State Government, in accordance with established procedures. Thereafter, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is constituted and deputed for an on-the-spot assessment of damage and requirement of funds for relief operations, as per the extant items and norms. The report of the IMCT is considered by the Sub Committee of the National Executive Committee (SC-NEC). Thereafter, the High Level Committee (HLC) approves the final quantum of financial assistance.

So far, in 2022-23 the Ministry of Home Affairs have constituted /deputed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to two North Eastern States, namely, Assam and Meghalaya, for assessment of damages on the ground.

(d) & (e): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed and released 41 water logging tolerant varieties/hybrids of different crops for commercial cultivation during 2014-21. As part of Technology Demonstration Component of ‘National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture’ (NICRA), flood tolerant varieties were demonstrated in 4 village clusters representing 4 districts of Assam. The demonstrations mainly focused on the flood tolerant varieties which could withstand submergence conditions and enhance productivity. Several promising rice varieties such as Jalasree, Jalkuwanri, Swarna Sub 1, Ranjit Sub 1, Bahadur Sub1 and varieties suitable for prolonged flooding and deep water conditions were demonstrated in frequently flood prone regions of Assam. Several trainings were conducted in Assam on various aspects of flood tolerant varieties and other technologies which can minimize the impact of floods.

(f): No, Sir. However, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’ since Kharif 2016, along with ‘Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme’ to provide comprehensive risk cover in the event of crop damage due to natural calamities and preventable risks and provide financial support to the insured farmers against their notified insurance coverage. However, these Insurance Schemes are voluntary in nature.