Rs 573 cr released for rain-hit farmers in divsn

CLEARED SKHER

Nashik: The state has released Rs 573 crore for the farmers affected by unseasonal rains in five districts of Nashik division.

The highest crop damage was reported from Jalgaon district. In all, over 17 lakh farmers from Nashik, Jalgaon, Dhule, Nashik and Ahmednagar districts of the division suffered losses due to the unseasonal rains this year.

Standing crops on more than 17.03 lakh hectares were damaged.

According to the governor’s decision, farmers will get aid of Rs 8,000 per hectare in case of un-irrigated land and Rs 16,000 per hectare in case of perennial crop.

In Nashik district, Rs 181.50 crore will be released directly into the accounts of the farmers, Rs 179.98 crore to farmers in Jalgaon district, Rs 135.55 crore to farmers in Ahmednagar district, Rs 74.78 crore in Dhule district and Rs 1.13 crore in Nandurbar districts.

Though the highest crop damage was in Jalgaon district, the compensation is higher in Nashik district as many farmers here have perennial crops. In case of Nandurbar district, most farmers have un-irrigated land and the agriculture activity is sparse, hence the compensation amount is less.

Of the Rs 181.50 crore to be given to the farmers in Nashik district, the highest amount is being given in Malegaon taluka – Rs 29.45 crore, followed by Baglan taluka with Rs 24.63 crore compensation. Farmers in Niphad taluka will get Rs 21.35 crore, while those in Chandwad will get Rs 18.31 crore.

All of these talukas are drought-prone and have recorded extensive damage to the perennial crops and the kharif crop.

Farmers from Trimbakeshwar taluka, which is a high rainfall area of the district, will get Rs 1.66 crore. Farmers from Peth taluka will get Rs 2.65 crore in all, while those in Surgana taluka will get Rs 4.51 crore. All these are tribal talukas and witness heavy rainfall every year.