Punjab Agriculture Minister asks to evaluate damage of wheat & other crops

Chandigarh, March3, 2015: Punjab Agriculture Minister, Punjab Jathedar Tota Singh today said that the Agriculture department would soon conduct a comprehensive survey to assess the extent of damage caused to the wheat and other crops due to heavy rains in the region.

He said that adequate compensation as per government's norms would be given to the affected farmers after completion of the survey. Reiterating that the government was fully committed to protect the interests of farmers against natural calamities, he added the state government is committed to extend all support to the farmers, whose standing crops have been damaged due to the inclement weather, following a spell of widespread rains across the state. “Rain at this stage is not desirable as the crop is nearly maturity and current weather condition could severely affect crop yield”, said the minister. Besides wheat and other Rabi (winter) crops, including vegetables and fruits have also been affected largely in the state. Minister also directed the Director Agriculture Punjab to review the damage of crops in the state due to untimely rains. He also said that rains may affect the photosynthesis activity of the crop that cause shriveling of grain size of the crop.

He also directed the field staff of the department to regularly monitor the crops and immediately inform any attack of yellow rust, so that necessary treatment can be done to the affected crop immediately. He said that farmers of the state can call at Toll free help line of Kisan call centre No. 1800-180-1551 during 6AM to 10 PM.