5 hrs ago
Gujarat Delays Drought Declaration Pending Crop Damage Survey
Some parts of Gujarat have received much less rain than usual during the monsoon.
Opposition lawmakers want the government to declare a drought immediately and help farmers.
The government says it must first follow a national drought assessment process.
That process checks rainfall, planted crops, soil moisture, groundwater and crop damage.
A survey of some affected villages is expected before the Kharif harvest ends, by October 31.
Meanwhile, the government has given farmers two extra hours of electricity each day for irrigation in 21 districts.
It also says enough water is available for drinking and irrigation.
Officials have stored grass and allowed districts to provide fodder at lower prices as a precaution.
Gujarat says it will assess drought conditions after the Kharif season survey due by October 31, rather than relying only on rainfall figures.
The state recorded 75.43% average seasonal rainfall by September 3, but several Saurashtra and Kutch districts remained severely deficient.
Agricultural electricity supply was increased from eight to 10 hours in 132 taluka groups across 21 districts to help protect standing crops.
The government said 80.39 lakh hectares had been sown by August 31, equal to 94.24% of the state’s average sowing area.
Opposition legislators demanded immediate drought action, citing prolonged dry conditions and the absence of crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
- Who
- The Gujarat government, led in the Assembly discussion by Minister Rushikesh Patel, responded to Congress and Aam Aadmi Party legislators.
- What
- The government deferred a decision on declaring drought until a crop-damage assessment, while announcing additional farm electricity and other precautions.
- Where
- Gujarat, particularly rain-deficient districts including Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar and Kutch.
- When
- The issue was discussed during the final day of Gujarat’s three-day monsoon session; rainfall figures were provided through September 3, 2026, and the survey is due by October 31.
- Why
- The government says drought status must be based on multiple scientific indicators and physical verification, not rainfall deviation alone.
Opposition Demands Immediate Declaration
Government Says Survey Must Come First
Timing of drought declaration
Opposition Demands Immediate Declaration
Congress and Aam Aadmi Party legislators said drought conditions required immediate government action and a declaration, citing prolonged rainfall shortages in affected talukas.
Government Says Survey Must Come First
Minister Rushikesh Patel said drought cannot be declared solely on rainfall deviation and that the decision should follow indicator checks and physical verification after the Kharif season.
Support for farmers
Opposition Demands Immediate Declaration
Congress legislator Amit Chavda called for immediate assistance and raised concerns that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was not implemented in Gujarat and had no alternative scheme.
Government Says Survey Must Come First
The government said it was already increasing farm power supply, ensuring water availability, arranging additional short-term power purchases and preparing concessional fodder distribution.
Basis for assessment
Opposition Demands Immediate Declaration
Opposition legislators emphasized the reported lack of rainfall, including claims that 112 talukas had gone eight weeks without rain.
Government Says Survey Must Come First
The government said assessment must also consider sowing, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, soil moisture, groundwater levels and recorded crop damage.
Key facts
- Average rainfall
- Gujarat recorded 75.43% of average seasonal rainfall, or 685.53 mm, by September 3, 2026.
- Most deficient districts
- Devbhumi Dwarka recorded 6.41%, Porbandar 19.12%, Jamnagar 28.88% and Kutch 29.29% average rainfall.
- Additional farm power
- Agricultural electricity supply increased from eight to 10 hours in 132 taluka groups across 21 districts.
- Sowing progress
- By August 31, 80.39 lakh hectares had been sown, representing 94.24% of the state’s average sowing area.
- Drought assessment deadline
- A 10% physical verification of affected villages is to be conducted before the end of the Kharif season, by October 31.
- Fodder stock
- The state reported 402.54 lakh kilograms of grass in government stock.
- Assessment framework
- The government is following the Drought Management Manual, 2016, updated in 2020.
Quotes
Rushikesh Patel
Gujarat’s Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Minister
“To protect standing crops for farmers, the Energy Department of the state government has increased the agricultural power supply by 2 hours, extending it from 8 hours to 10 hours.”
indianexpress.com
“As of September 3, 2026, according to the report from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), the state has recorded a total average seasonal rainfall of 75.43% (685.53 mm).”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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