It is imperative now
to mobilize for an effective post-flood rehabilitation programme for the farmers at the fastest
Imperative to start a post-flood recovery programme
That floods have already caused extensive damage to crops in different parts of the country is a worrying piece of information. It is feared that the magnitude of the loss will go up if the water does not recede from submerged farmlands within five to seven days. A report on this appeared in this newspaper yesterday. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said that crops on approximately three lakh hectares of farmlands in 53 districts have been inundated. This speaks volumes of the enormity of devastation caused by the deluge. The damaged crops include aus and aman paddies, vegetables, jute, betel-leaf plantations, sugarcane and paddy seedlings. Many seedbeds made by farmers for transplantation of aman paddy have gone under floodwater, triggering grave concern among them. Vegetables on vast tracts of land have also been inundated, pushing up prices of vegetables . Besides, floods have damaged dwelling houses and washed away fish breeding projects. The onslaught of flood is still going on inflicting a severe blow to the farmers.
What is imperative now is mobilizing for an effective post-flood rehabilitation programme for the farmers at the fastest. The government should now stand by the flood victims, particularly farmers, so that they can recoup the losses they have suffered. Seeds and seedlings of paddy can be supplied to the flood-hit farmers on an emergency basis. It is heartening to note that there are sufficient stocks of paddy seedlings for distribution among the flood-hit farmers. Time for sowing of seeds and transplantation of seedlings is not over yet. If farmers get those they can make good use of them and make up for the losses substantially . Besides, dwelling houses of many farmers have been damaged by the flooding. Farmers can be provided with house reconstruction grants or crisis grants. If it is not possible, the affected ones can at least get bank loans on easy terms and conditions for rebuilding their houses.
Winter season is approaching. Farmers will cultivate various Rabi crops and vegetables. If they get loans on easy terms and conditions and necessary agricultural inputs, they can go for cultivation of the same in a big way. The people living in towns and cities enjoy the facilities of insurance but there is no such facility for rural farmers. The issue of crop insurance has long been discussed. If it is implemented farmers will be immensely benefited in the longer term. But that is a matter of time. The farmers now need proactive measures from the government to help them tide over their present predicament.
