Kerala seeks ₹110 crore central aid for rain-hit farm sector
The Kerala government has sought ₹110 crore in urgent assistance from the Centre to help the state's farm sector recover from the recent heavy rainfall and floods. The request was confirmed by Agriculture Minister T. Siddique, who said he has written to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The amount includes ₹100 crore as immediate assistance and ₹10 crore specifically for restoring farmlands that have lost soil fertility due to flooding.
According to first information reports from the Agriculture department, assessments up to August 9 have placed the losses in the farm sector at ₹127.61 crore. The data shows that 45,904 farmers across all 14 districts of the state have been affected, with 9,332 hectares of farmland reported as flood-affected.
In his letter, Minister Siddique has also requested Mr. Chouhan to send a Central team to assess the damage on the ground. The state government plans to revise its request once updated loss assessments are completed.
The minister had toured the affected Kuttanad region last week, a low-lying area known for its distinctive farming practices and vulnerability to flooding. The region has been among the worst affected in the current spell of monsoon rains.
A special meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss ways to support affected farmers. Minister Siddique will join Cooperation Minister M. Liju at the meeting. Schemes for replanting crops in the affected regions and interest waivers on farmer loans are expected to be on the agenda.
The state has been experiencing above-normal rainfall this monsoon season, leading to flooding in several river valleys. The farm sector, particularly in regions like Kuttanad, which lies below sea level, has borne the brunt of the inundation. The loss of soil fertility is a particular concern as it could affect future crop yields.
Under the guidelines for disaster relief, states are required to assess losses and submit requests for central assistance. A central team's visit is often a prerequisite for accessing funds from the National Disaster Response Fund or other relief schemes. The state's appeal for a central team suggests that the losses are substantial enough to warrant additional federal support.
Kerala's agricultural economy is a significant source of livelihood for a large portion of its population. The damage to crops such as paddy, banana, and vegetables has raised concerns about local food supply and farmer incomes. The state government's prompt response aims to mitigate the impact and ensure that farmers can replant and recover in the coming months.
The meeting on August 11 is expected to outline specific measures that can be taken in the short term, including providing seeds and planting material for replanting, and addressing the financial burden on farmers through interest relief on loans. The response from the Centre, both in terms of the assessment team and the eventual financial assistance, will be crucial in helping the state's farm sector recover from this setback.
