3 weeks ago
Kerala crop losses near Rs 100 crore; seeks Rs 110 crore aid
Kerala is a state in India where it rains a lot during monsoon season.
This year the rain and floods were so strong that they ruined many farms.
Crops across thousands of hectares of land were damaged.
The government counted the damage and thinks the loss is about Rs 99 crore.
That is a very large amount of money.
The state asked the central government for Rs 110 crore to help farmers.
Farmers can report their losses at local agriculture offices for verification.
The government also wants to test the soil because floods wash away nutrients needed for farming.
It approved giving farmers 25 per cent more compensation than before.
There will also be special markets before the Onam festival so that vegetables do not get too expensive.
Preliminary crop losses from Kerala's rain and floods are estimated at Rs 99.29 crore across 3,264 hectares, affecting 36,829 farmers.
Kerala has sought Rs 110 crore in immediate central assistance: Rs 100 crore for crop losses and Rs 10 crore for restoring soil fertility.
Agriculture Minister T Siddique wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and requested a Central team to visit Alappuzha, Kuttanad, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam.
The state Cabinet approved a 25 per cent increase in compensation for crop losses caused by natural calamities, and compensation for disasters has been pending since 2022.
The government plans 2,000 Onam markets backed by Rs 20 crore for price stability, and Chingam 1 celebrations will be held in Kochi on August 17.
- Who
- Kerala Agriculture Minister T Siddique, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister V D Satheesan, and 36,829 affected farmers.
- What
- Crop losses from ongoing rain and floods are preliminarily estimated at Rs 99.29 crore, and Kerala has sought Rs 110 crore in central aid for relief and restoration.
- Where
- Kerala, including Alappuzha, Kuttanad, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts; Kochi will host the Chingam 1 celebrations.
- When
- Estimates were made as of Thursday evening and announced on Friday, August 7.
- Why
- Ongoing rain and floods damaged crops in 3,264 hectares of agricultural land and depleted soil nutrients needed for future farming.
Scale down festivities
Honor farmers as planned
Chingam 1 celebrations during the flood crisis
Scale down festivities
Some question whether the Chingam 1 celebrations should be scaled down given the flood distress faced by farmers, particularly in Kuttanad.
Honor farmers as planned
The government says Chingam 1 is a day to honor farmers and cannot be avoided under any circumstances, and expects the flood situation to improve by August 17.
Key facts
- Estimated crop loss
- Rs 99.29 crore (preliminary, as of Thursday evening)
- Central aid sought
- Rs 110 crore
- Crop loss assistance
- Rs 100 crore
- Soil fertility restoration
- Rs 10 crore
- Farmland affected
- 3,264 hectares
- Farmers affected
- 36,829
- Compensation increase
- 25 per cent (approved by state Cabinet)
- Onam market intervention
- Rs 20 crore for 2,000 markets
Quotes
Agriculture Minister T Siddique
Kerala state Agriculture Minister
“The assistance sought includes Rs 100 crore towards crop losses and Rs 10 crore for restoring soil fertility, restarting cultivation and providing the necessary support for farmers.”
theprint.in
“We are examining ways to speed up the process immediately. We will coordinate with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) and financial institutions.”
theprint.in
Sources
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