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Punjab Seeks Central Aid as Rains Ravage Wheat on 35 Lakh Hectares

Punjab's Agriculture Minister has urgently requested the Central government to send a team to assess extensive damage to wheat and other rabi crops caused by unseasonal heavy rainfall and hailstorms. Preliminary reports indicate crop loss on over 1.30 lakh acres, with the damage spreading as rains continue. The adverse weather has impacted wheat sown on 35 lakh hectares, along with vegetables and fodder, threatening farmer livelihoods. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal has announced its own relief plan to distribute aid to affected farmers after April 20.

Key Points: Punjab Seeks Central Help for Rain-Damaged Wheat Crop

  • Unseasonal rains damage wheat
  • Loss reported on over 1.30 lakh acres
  • Multiple crops and districts affected
  • State orders special 'girdawari'
  • SAD announces relief plan for farmers
2 min read

Punjab seeks Centre's help as rains hit wheat on 35 lakh hectares​

Punjab requests a Central team to assess damage to wheat on 35 lakh hectares after unseasonal rains and hailstorms hit the state's rabi crops.

"The damage is spreading as rain continues, and the final figure may rise - Gurmeet Singh Khudian"

Chandigarh, April 8

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Wednesday urged the Central government to send a high-level team to assess the damage caused to wheat and other Rabi crops by unseasonal heavy rainfall accompanied by hailstorms in the state.​

In a letter to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the minister highlighted the severe impact of inclement weather on wheat crops. ​

He said wheat sown on 35 lakh hectares had been expected to yield a bumper crop, but incessant rainfall and hailstorms have caused significant damage, pushing the farming community into distress.​

"As per the preliminary assessment by the state Agriculture Department, the crop loss has been reported on over 1.30 lakh acres. The damage is spreading as rain continues, and the final figure may rise," Khudian said.​

He added that the damage is not limited to wheat alone, as vegetables, fodder, and other Rabi crops have also been hit across multiple districts, including Fazilka, Ferozepur, Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, and Mansa. Crop losses are threatening the livelihoods of farmers and the state's agrarian economy.​

Khudian said the state has already ordered a special 'girdawari' to assess the crop damage. Given the scale of losses and the financial strain on farmers, he sought immediate relief and compensation from the Centre. ​

He emphasised that a Central team is needed urgently for a detailed assessment, while assuring that the state government remains committed to supporting its farmers and will extend all necessary cooperation to the Central team.​

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal appealed to Punjabis to stand united to help distressed farmers whose standing wheat crop had been damaged across 1.25 lakh acres.​

The SAD President, who held a meeting with the party's leaders here, said a detailed plan had been charted to start distribution of wheat as well as dry and green fodder to the affected farmers after April 20.​

"We are creating nodal points for the collection of the relief material, which then will be distributed in the affected villages," he said.​

Badal added that the party was arranging balers to create bales in the fields of affected farmers, free of cost, so they could earn additional money. ​

He said the party would also try to extend help to small farmers whose vegetable produce had been damaged by the hailstorms.​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why does it always take a disaster for governments to act? Crop insurance schemes exist, but the assessment and payout process is so slow. Farmers need help *now*, not after endless committees. Good to see SAD stepping up with immediate relief plans though.
R
Rohit P
35 lakh hectares! That's a massive area. This will definitely impact wheat prices and availability across the country. We need a national plan to support Punjab's farmers and stabilize food security.
S
Sarah B
The climate crisis is real and hitting our food producers hardest. Unseasonal rains and hailstorms are becoming more frequent. Beyond immediate relief, we need serious investment in climate-resilient agriculture and better weather forecasting for farmers.
K
Karthik V
Solidarity with Punjab's farmers from down south. This is a loss for the entire nation. Hope the state and central governments work together seamlessly. The idea of creating bales from damaged crops for extra income is a smart, practical move by SAD.
M
Meera T
It's not just about wheat. Vegetables and fodder are also hit. This double whammy affects dairy farmers too. The relief package must be comprehensive. Jai Kisan.

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