Gujarat, India: In a commendable initiative spanning nearly a decade, the Gujarat state government has disbursed more than ₹10,532 crore as financial aid to approximately 88.76 lakh farmers who faced crop losses owing to a series of natural calamities.
Breaking down the assistance year by year:
- In 2015-16, heavy and unseasonal rains wreaked havoc, affecting 1,82,041 farmers. A sum of ₹279.22 crore was released from the State Disaster Relief Fund to mitigate their losses.
- The subsequent year, 2017-18, witnessed heavy rains, floods, and soil erosion damaging the livelihoods of 7,69,570 farmers. The state promptly responded with a relief fund of ₹1,706.60 crore.
- In 2018-19, calamities continued with heavy rains, floods, and droughts affecting 17,59,614 farmers, for whom ₹1,678.09 crore was allocated.
- The year 2019-20 was no different, with unseasonal rains impacting 33,18,097 farmers. They received a consolidated assistance of ₹2,489.58 crore.
- Fast forward to 2020-21, heavy rains and floods led to crop damage for 19,03,575 farmers. The government's responsive action saw a disbursement of ₹2,905.97 crore in relief.
- The cyclonic storm in 2021-22 resulted in significant damage. A two-phase relief operation was launched, granting ₹1,240.58 crore to 7,67,330 affected farmers.
- Heavy rains again in 2022-23 led to economic losses for 1,38,691 farmers. An assistance of ₹147 crore was rendered by the state.
- The latest data from 2023-24 reports unseasonal rains affecting 37,045 farmers, who have since received an agricultural relief package amounting to ₹85.49 crore.
The recurring challenges posed by nature haven't deterred the state's commitment to its agrarian community. Over the past nine years, Gujarat's consistent and substantial relief efforts in response to natural calamities have culminated in an aid exceeding ₹10,000 crores, reaffirming its pledge to support its farmer community.
