The Gujarat government on Friday unveiled a relief package worth Rs 350 crore to aid farmers who suffered significant losses due to heavy rains in various parts of the state in July this year. The package was announced by state agriculture minister Raghavji Patel in the assembly on the final day of the monsoon session, following a comprehensive loss assessment survey conducted across 45 talukas in Junagadh, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Rajkot, Anand, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Tapi districts.
These regions experienced incessant and heavy rainfall between July 18 and 24, leading to widespread damage to standing crops, horticultural produce, and fruit trees such as mangoes across nearly 4 lakh hectares, according to Patel.
Under the relief package, farmers who have lost 33% or more of their non-irrigated Kharif crops will receive compensation of Rs 11,000 per hectare, with a limit of two hectares. For irrigated crops, the assistance is set at Rs 22,000 per hectare within the same two-hectare limit.
Annual horticultural crops will be compensated at Rs 22,000 per hectare for losses equal to or exceeding 33%. For perennial horticulture crops with a lifespan of three or more growing seasons, compensation is fixed at Rs 22,500 per hectare.
Additionally, in cases of total damage or uprooting of perennial fruit trees, farmers will receive extra compensation of Rs 1.02 lakh per hectare if more than 33% of trees are affected, Patel stated.