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Gandhinagar, October 20 (IANS) The Gujarat government has announced an agriculture relief package of Rs 947 crore for farmers affected by heavy rains in August and September this year. The decision, taken under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, was announced by Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, who said the move reflects the government’s continued commitment to farmer welfare.
Addressing the media, Minister Vaghani said Rs 563 crore will be distributed under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, while an additional Rs 384 crore will be provided from the state budget, taking the total to Rs 947 crore.
This assistance will benefit farmers in five districts and 18 talukas, covering around 800 villages, where there was widespread crop damage due to excessive rainfall. District administrations in Junagadh, Panchmahal, Kutch, Patan and Vav-Thrad conducted surveys confirming widespread losses in perennial crops like groundnut, cotton, millet, fodder, vegetables, pulses and pomegranate. Farmers in these areas will get compensation based on SDRF and state norms.
Under the relief norms, farmers with crop loss more than 33 per cent will get Rs 12,000 per hectare (Rs 8,500 under SDRF + Rs 3,500 from state funds) up to 2 hectares per account for non-irrigated crops. Rs 22,000 per hectare up to 2 hectares per account for irrigated crops (Rs 17,000 under SDRF + Rs 5,000 from state funds). Rs 27,500 per hectare up to 2 hectares per account for perennial horticultural crops (Rs 22,500 under SDRF + Rs 5,000 from state funds).
Additionally, recognizing the recurring problem of waterlogging in the low-lying areas of Vav-Tharad and Patan, the State Government has announced a Special Flood Mitigation Project – the first of its kind in Gujarat.
An initial provision of Rs 2,500 crore has been made for the project, with the facility to increase the fund to Rs 5,000 crore if required. Farmers in these areas will also get Rs 20,000 per hectare for land restoration work under a special state budget provision.
Minister Vaghani said the decision came after a series of high-level meetings called by Chief Minister Patel, even during the festive period, to ensure that no affected farmer was left out.
He said, “The Prime Minister has taken several steps to protect the interests of farmers. Following his vision, the Gujarat government is determined to ensure timely relief and long-term solutions for our farming community.”
–IANS
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