In Haryana, dalit farmer Prabhu Ram from Dult village is staring at crops damaged by waterlogging as he stands on a link road leading to the neighboring town Bhuna (Fatehabad).
Our expenditure for paddy crop in 11 acres and Narma cotton in one acre was nearly Rs 4 lakh. As of now, I don’t expect any production on our landholding,” said Prabhu Ram.
In Dult, Dalit families make up nearly 40% of the village’s 3,000 residents. It is not just the crop loss that his family has suffered as a result of the rain. Prabhu Ram said, “The heavy rain damaged our house too, which is located in an agricultural field. Our 12 cows and buffaloes were rescued from the falling house with great efforts, but not without injury.” Despite our best efforts, we were unable to rescue our 12 cows and buffaloes from the falling house.”
A farmer leader says that 1509 variety paddy prices have fallen from Rs 3,500 per quintal to Rs 2,000 per quintal since the arhityas went on strike. Farmers and arhtiyas formed a brotherhood during the agitation against three central farm laws. In spite of this, the strike by the arhtiyas has created a rift between both segments of society. Farmers have suffered heavy losses as a result of the strike.”
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar admitted on Sunday that excessive and unseasonal rain has caused a lot of damage to crops. Farmers and opposition parties are seeking compensation. There have been instructions to conduct a special girdwari to assess the damage.”
A new system has been introduced by the state revenue department where farmers can report crop damage on the government’s portal. It’s clear, though, that the government won’t give compensation to farmers who are covered by Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Mukhya Mantri Bagwani Yojana (MMBBY), or Seed Development Programme.
Farmer leaders say preponing paddy procurement would have provided relief to them, but the government announced it on October 1.
