UP: Union Minister urges urgent relief for flood-affected farmers in Braj region
Sep 24, 2024
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 24 : Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary, in a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has requested urgent relief for farmers in the Braj region due to crop losses suffered from excessive rains.
In his letter on Tuesday, Chaudhary said, "Recently, during my visit to the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, I visited many villages, and it was seen that due to excessive rains in this area, the crops of the farmers have suffered a lot and they need to be provided immediate relief." He urged the Chief Minister to conduct a survey in the affected villages on a priority basis.
"Therefore, I respectfully request you to get the affected villages of the Braj region, along with the entire state of Uttar Pradesh, surveyed on a priority basis as soon as possible and provide the benefit of the crop insurance scheme, along with appropriate compensation, to the flood-affected farmers here," he added.
According to reports from last week, farmers in Moradabad have also struggled with crop damage caused by heavy rain and strong winds. Reports indicate that about 60 percent of sugarcane and 70 percent of paddy crops have been affected. The ongoing rain has left fields waterlogged, while strong winds have caused widespread damage. In many areas, sugarcane has completely fallen over, and paddy fields are underwater.
Dr. Rajendra Pal Singh, the district agriculture officer, said, "The rain has been relentless, and the fields are filled with water. The strong winds have caused the crops to fall, leading to significant damage. The sugarcane and paddy crops are severely affected." He noted that the rain, which was expected to last until September 15, has disrupted farmers' livelihoods.
Dr. Singh added, "When the rain stops, some crops might recover as the soil becomes loose and the roots re-establish. However, if the rain continues as forecasted, it will pose a significant problem for farmers." He highlighted that small crops like onions and cauliflower are suffering the most, as they can rot quickly due to waterlogging. District authorities are assessing the damage and considering support measures for affected farmers.
