Crops across 50 lakh hectares in different states have been damaged due to unseasonal rains.
The unseasonal rains over the last three days have damaged crops across 50 lakh hectares in different states.
Initial assessments show Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are among those that have seen crop damage due to the untimely showers. The Centre has also received reports from states like Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka as well.
Uttar Pradesh has already reported at least three farmer deaths following the extensive crop damage in the fields.
Speaking in Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said, "As per initial reports from states, till now, there has been damage to 27 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh, 7.5 lakh hectares in Maharashtra, 14.5 lakh hectares in Rajasthan, 50,000 hectares in West Bengal and 6,000 hectares in Punjab."
States have already started compensating farmers and the Centre has also assured additional funds where required.
The Union minister also informed the House that the government plans to bring in a crop insurance scheme and a Krishi Amdani Yojana in the next year.
This has been a particularly difficult year for farmers, given the drought-like conditions during the Kharif season due to delayed and poor rains.
Now with these unseasonal showers, even the Rabi crop has been hit. It could end up being a triple whammy for farmers, given the additional burden of falling prices.