Heavy rainfall poses significant risks to agriculture and horticulture through waterlogging, flooding, soil erosion, and crop damage, particularly in low-lying areas.

This was informed by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath today.

He said that during the last three days, from 27th to 29th April, the state has received an average rainfall of 133.9 mm. The highest rainfall of 283 mm was received at Kamalpur, 278 mm at Bishramganj, and 230 mm at Khowai.

The minister said that, total area under standing  Agriculture crop  is 58,540 ha and as per the preliminary assessment report, around 6,105 hectares of agricultural and horticulture area have been affected.

The minister informed that around 21,635 metric tons is the anticipated production loss, while the anticipated value loss is Rs 59.17 crore, and 32,895 farmers have been affected.

The minister further informed that among the eight districts, the South District of the state is the worst affected, where 10,470 metric tons of production loss has been recorded, while Khowai faced comparatively less production loss, which is 463 metric tons.

He said that farmers are God as they give us food and the present state government is committed to working for their welfare and development.

The minister further informed that, to help the affected farmers, a series of steps have been taken by the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department.
He said that State-level, District-level, and Sub-division-level Nodal Officers have been appointed for executing the disaster management plan.

“Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been appointed at the district and sub-division levels for taking immediate necessary action just after the occurrence of such natural calamities. Field functionaries of the department have been kept on alert for immediate assessment of damage to standing crops through geo-tagging. Priority is being given to drainage to remove excess water from fields, especially from paddy and vegetable fields. Land situation-wise crop rotation will allow farmers to plant crops like pulses (Arhar, Cowpea, Khesari), oilseeds (Sesamum), leafy vegetables, and maize in medium land, and millets (Foxtail and Finger millet) in upland areas,” he said.

The minister also informed that the present state government is always with the farmers, as without the development of farmers, the development of the state and the country is not possible, and farmers are the backbone of the economy.