Danapur (Bihar) [India], November 3 : Heavy rains and strong winds in Bihar's Danapur on Monday caused extensive damage to paddy crops, leaving local farmers distressed. Hence, the farmers have demanded clarification and compensation from the government for their losses.
Farmer Ramkumar Singh stated that the entire state is affected by Cyclone Montha. Consequently, the farmers and markets in Maner are suffering, with deterioration seen in vegetables and rice. He also claimed that the government is absent from the situation.
"The entire state of Bihar is currently experiencing the effects of the Montha cyclone... The farmers and markets in Maner are deteriorating, from vegetables to rice. The government is seemingly absent as officials focus on elections... Last year's Rabi crop was plundered, and this year, paddy farmers are again in crisis... The government should provide clarification, or officials at the block level should take it upon themselves to do so..." Singh told ANI.
Farmer Ravi Ranjan expressed his distress, stating that this season his paddy crop has been completely ruined, and no one is addressing the farmers' plight amid the election campaigns. Describing his situation, he called on the government to provide compensation for the destruction of his crops.
"This season, farmers' paddy crop is completely ruined, and no one is addressing their plight amid election campaigns. The harvest is uncertain, and farmers' concerns are ignored. Despite massive crop destruction affecting hundreds of thousands, no efforts are made to support them... We demand that the government provide adequate compensation..." Ravi told ANI.
As the farmers demand clarification and compensation from the government, Danapur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Divya Shakti mentioned that they are currently assessing the impact on agriculture across all blocks and panchayats within the subdivision.
Shakti further stated that if the assessed damage exceeds 33%, relief measures will be provided. She also noted that after collecting data on the destroyed crops, they will provide compensation to those who qualify for damages.
"Following the recent heavy rains, we are currently evaluating the impact on agriculture across all blocks and panchayats within our Danapur subdivision. Our subdivisional agriculture officer has directed all agriculture coordinators to perform field surveys and submit reports on the damage. If the assessed damage exceeds 33%, relief measures will be activated... Our inspections started yesterday. All our agriculture coordinators, including block agriculture officers and subdivisional agriculture officers, are visiting the fields and conducting ongoing surveys. We all participate in this process. Once we gather all the crop damage data, we will evaluate it and provide compensation to those who qualify for damages," Shakti told ANI.