Jammu, Sep 16 (Inditop.com) Authorities here are considering declaring the Jammu region drought-hit as it has received 40 percent less rainfall this monsoon.
“We are gathering the statistics and other facts to see if we can declare the region drought-hit. Poor farmers have suffered 50 to 80 percent losses and we want them to get compensated for that,” Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla told Inditop.
Most farmers in the region grow rice and vegetables. The loss to the rice crop has been reported at 50 to 60 percent.
Bhalla said after the area is declared drought-hit, it qualifies to get money under the Calamity Relief Fund that can compensate the losses due to low rainfall.
“The farmers in the region get only one crop during summers while the fields are snow covered in winter. It is important for these farmers to get compensated for the loss or else they will face starvation in winter,” he said.
However, the worry of farmers does not end with the loss of the present crop. Experts point out that “less rainfall can adversely impact the next crop as well”.
The government has asked agriculture experts to suggest measures to farmers to minimise possible future losses.
According to the weatherman, average rainfall in Jammu, Udhampur and Kathua districts is around 900 mm but this year it has only been around 550 mm. They said the worst hit was Kathua district which had 52 percent less rainfall. Jammu and Udhampur had around 42 percent less rainfall than average.
