How Much Did the Gujarat Government Disburse to Farmers for Unseasonal Rain Relief?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gujarat government has allocated Rs 6,805 crore for farmer relief.
- Over 33 lakh farmers applied for assistance.
- Direct payments to farmers’ accounts have been initiated.
- Relief amount per hectare has been doubled to Rs 22,000.
- Support extends to nearly 17,000 villages.
Gandhinagar, Dec 16 (NationPress) The Gujarat government has allocated over Rs 6,805 crore in financial aid to farmers as part of a special economic initiative to address the losses incurred from unseasonal and extraordinary rainfall, as stated by Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia.
During a media briefing, the minister highlighted that the state has acted promptly to support farmers facing significant crop losses due to unpredictable weather patterns.
Under the landmark Rs 10,000-crore agricultural relief package introduced by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, direct financial assistance is being deposited into farmers' bank accounts following quick crop damage assessments.
Official statistics reveal that over 33 lakh farmers statewide have sought relief under this package, with more than 27 lakh applications already approved. In just the past ten days, assistance exceeding Rs 6,805 crore has been credited to over 22.90 lakh beneficiaries.
The minister assured that the remaining payments are being expedited and will be finalized soon. The state has also increased the relief amount per hectare from Rs 11,000 to Rs 22,000, providing a maximum support of Rs 44,000 for up to two hectares.
Farmers from nearly 17,000 of the state's 18,000 villages have received this enhanced assistance.
Emphasizing the government's simultaneous initiative through Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement, Modhwadia noted that Gujarat has established itself as a steadfast supporter of farmers by guaranteeing the purchase of groundnut and other crops.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state has committed to MSP procurement valued at ₹15,000 crore for this season.
A record 10.11 lakh farmers have registered for MSP on groundnut, soybean, moong, and urad this year—over two-and-a-half times the registrations from last year.
For groundnut procurement alone, 317 purchase centers have been set up across 114 talukas.
Since November, the state has procured 10.49 lakh metric tonnes of produce worth Rs 7,537 crore from over 4.75 lakh farmers. Payments totaling Rs 3,468 crore have already been disbursed to more than 2.18 lakh farmers, while procurement and payments for non-groundnut crops are currently in progress.
“In a brief period, the state government has transferred over Rs 8,798 crore directly to farmers’ accounts through relief and MSP payments,” the minister stated, adding that total disbursements for crop loss compensation and MSP procurement are projected to reach nearly Rs 26,000 crore.
Expressing thanks to the chief minister for the farmer-focused initiatives, Modhwadia mentioned that cabinet members, MLAs, cooperative leaders, and representatives from farmer organizations met Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar to personally express their gratitude for what they described as a historic and timely intervention.
Numerous ministers, legislators, and leaders from cooperative and farmer organizations attended the event, demonstrating widespread political and organizational backing for the state's agricultural relief strategies.