Question : Loss of Crops

(a) whether standing/ready to harvest agricultural crops including wheat have been adversely damaged recently in various parts of the country due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm and drought;

(b) if so, the details of crop losses reported in the country and estimated monetary losses suffered by the farmers due to damage of such crops and compensation given to them, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to launch any campaign/issue advisory to prevent loss of Rabi and Kharif crops in the event of natural calamities such as unseasonal rain and hailstorm in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) & (b): During the Rabi season of 2015-16, western disturbances led to hailstorm/unseasonal rains and high velocity winds in various parts of the country causing damage to crops. As per reports, an area of 6.02 lakh hectare was damaged/affected under different crops due to unseasonal rains/hailstorms/winds and lodging to the crops, mainly in wheat, was reported in an area of 9.04 lakh hectare. Thus total area of 15.06 lakh hectare was affected in different magnitude.


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The State Government is primarily responsible for taking necessary relief measures in the wake of natural calamities. 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 National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of severe nature and is approved on the basis of Memorandum received from State Government in accordance with established procedure.

During Rabi season Government of Karnataka has reported drought and submitted Memorandum seeking financial Assistance of Rs.1417.14 crore from National disaster Respond Fund (NDRF) and reported that a total of 22.33 lakh hectare land suffered crop loss of 33% and above. Government of Rajasthan and Haryana have reported loss/damage due to Hailstorm during February/March 2016. However, no Memoranda have been received from these States.


(c) & (d): The multi-departmental Crop Weather Watch Group (CWWG), is meeting every week to review crop, rainfall, water storage and input availability over the country. Weekly video conference with States is also being held to provide support and advice appropriately, as and when required.

Ministry through m-kisan portal sends SMS advisory to registered farmers. These advisories include weather based SMS advisories, advisories to suggest measures to minimize adverse impact of extreme weather event.

Central Research Institute of Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities has prepared contingency plan for 600 districts for implementing location specific interventions to sustain agriculture production in the eventuality of any extreme climatic events.

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