Chandigarh, April 8 (NationPress) The Punjab Agriculture Minister, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, has formally requested the Central government to deploy a high-level delegation to evaluate the devastation inflicted on wheat and other Rabi crops due to unexpected heavy rainfall and hailstorms in the region.

In a correspondence addressed to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Khudian underscored the extensive damage caused by extreme weather conditions on wheat cultivation.

He indicated that wheat cultivated over 35 lakh hectares was anticipated to yield a substantial harvest; however, the relentless rain and hail have severely impacted this expectation, plunging farmers into distress.

According to preliminary assessments by the state Agriculture Department, crop losses have been reported over 1.30 lakh acres. The situation could worsen as rainfall persists, leading to potentially higher loss figures, Khudian noted.

Moreover, the destruction is not confined to wheat, as vegetables, fodder, and other Rabi crops have also suffered across various districts, including Fazilka, Ferozepur, Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, and Mansa. These losses jeopardize the livelihoods of farmers and threaten the state’s agricultural economy.

Khudian stated that a special ‘girdawari’ has already been initiated to evaluate the extent of crop damage. In light of the significant losses and financial burdens on farmers, he has sought prompt relief and compensation from the Centre.

He stressed the urgent need for a Central team to conduct a thorough assessment while assuring that the state government is devoted to supporting its farmers and will offer all necessary assistance to the Central team.

Meanwhile, SAD President Sukhbir Badal has called upon Punjabis to unite in support of farmers affected by the damage to their standing wheat crops across 1.25 lakh acres.

During a meeting with party leaders, Badal outlined a comprehensive plan to distribute wheat, as well as dry and green fodder to affected farmers post-April 20.

“We are establishing nodal points for the collection of relief materials, which will then be distributed in impacted villages,” he mentioned.

Additionally, Badal noted that the party is facilitating the availability of balers to create bales in the fields of affected farmers at no cost, allowing them to earn extra income.

He also expressed intentions to assist small farmers whose vegetable crops have suffered due to the hailstorms.