Question : Unusual Farm Fires

(a) whether the combination of extremely high temperatures, hot and dry winds across the north Indian plains including Punjab during the last few years has caused scores of unusual farm fires which destroyed huge hectares of wheat crops ready for harvest;
(b) if so, the details thereof for the last two years along with the estimated loss of wheat and other crops output as a result thereof, year-wise and State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to assist the farm community to overcome their losses and to prevent the recurrence of such happenings in the coming years;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
???????????????????????? (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a) &(b) The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) does not conduct assessment for the value of loss to the field crops by farm fires. DA&FW has not received report on incidence of farm fires destroying huge hectares of wheat and other crop output.
(c) to (e) Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare ensurescomprehensive risk cover for crops of farmersagainst all non-preventable natural risks including farm fires frompre-sowing to post-harvest stage under PradhanMantriFasalBimaYojana (PMFBY) which is being implementedin the country from Kharif 2016.It is voluntary scheme for States and farmers. All States are free to implementand take appropriate contingency action plan as per provision in their states.
Indian Council for Agricultural Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA) also develops the District Agriculture Contingency Plan (DACP) for 650 districts to mitigate the impact of weather related challenges, and circulates to all State Agriculture Departments. The plan contains suitable technology interventions. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare also issues advisory to the States for creating awareness campaign and to implement contingency plan as per local need.
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