Unseasonal Rainfall and Extreme Weather Devastate Crops: Impact and Government Response.
New Delhi:
Unseasonal rainfall and extreme weather events have caused significant damage to agricultural crops across various states, disrupting the livelihoods of farmers. According to a recent update from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the adverse weather conditions of the 2024-25 season have resulted in widespread crop loss, with affected states reporting damage to over 14 lakh hectares of farmland.
As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), disaster relief efforts, including financial support for farmers, primarily fall under the jurisdiction of State Governments. States utilize the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for immediate relief measures. However, in the case of severe disasters, the Central Government steps in to provide supplementary assistance through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), with an assessment led by an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).
While detailed national data on crop losses is not centrally maintained, information shared by states highlights the widespread damage, with several regions reporting substantial losses due to the impact of hydro-meteorological disasters. A provisional report as of 27 January 2025 outlines the areas most affected:
- Karnataka: 2.86 lakh hectares
- Tamil Nadu: 4.00 lakh hectares
- Uttar Pradesh: 3.95 lakh hectares
- Assam: 1.38 lakh hectares
- West Bengal: 1.38 lakh hectares
- Odisha: 0.22 lakh hectares
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) have been pivotal in providing financial relief to farmers affected by such calamities. These schemes, which have been operational since Kharif 2016, offer comprehensive risk insurance that covers losses from pre-sowing to post-harvest stages. Over the years, Rs. 172,138 crores have been disbursed to over 19.59 crore farmer applications under these schemes.
The schemes are designed to ensure that insurance claims are processed quickly, with farmers receiving compensation within 21 days of the crop loss being verified. In the case of any delays in payments, penalties are automatically levied on insurance companies to ensure timely relief.
Since their inception, these schemes have played an essential role in stabilizing farmers’ incomes, especially when unpredictable weather patterns threaten crop yields.
Details of damages reported by states as of January 2025 are available on the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) website for public viewing.
The central and state governments continue to work together to mitigate the effects of climate change and unpredictable weather events on agriculture, ensuring that farmers receive the necessary support during such challenging times.
