Calling for a compensation of no less than Rs 50,000 per acre for crop damage, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Thursday pressed Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for urgent relief and a substantial financial package to counter the destructive impact of floods.
He further sought enhanced support for farmers hit hard by the disaster, with more than four lakh acres of farmland submerged, posing risks to both state and national food reserves.
Khudian joined the Union Agriculture Minister on visits to the flood-ravaged districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Kapurthala, highlighting the severe blow to the farming community.
When Union Minister Chouhan arrived at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar, he was welcomed by Khudian, who stressed the need for immediate action as the minister assessed losses and interacted with affected cultivators.
The Punjab minister underlined that over four lakh acres of standing crops had been destroyed, according to initial reports, reflecting the gravity of the situation. With paddy fields bearing the brunt just ahead of harvesting season, Khudian said the devastation has inflicted heavy losses on farmers and weakened the agricultural economy of the state. The rural economy has also suffered further setbacks due to significant damage to livestock resources.
“Punjab’s role in ensuring national food security is critical,” remarked Khudian, noting that as a key agrarian region, the state contributes immensely to the country’s food supply chain. Yet, the floods have caused unparalleled destruction to crops, rural infrastructure and farming livelihoods.
“The backbone of Punjab’s economy faces unprecedented stress, requiring swift intervention to restore agriculture and ease farmer distress,” he emphasized. Pointing out the inadequacy of the present compensation for flood-hit cultivators, Khudian said the amount of Rs 6,800 per acre falls far short of covering the farmers’ losses.
He pressed the Centre to raise the figure to at least Rs 50,000 per acre without further delay. Khudian also urged the immediate release of Rs 8,000 crore from the Rural Development Fund and Market Development Fund that remain pending with the Union government. Additionally, Punjab needs a comprehensive relief package to recover from the floods and safeguard the state’s economy, he asserted.
