JAMMU: Director Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta today visited the flood affected area of R.S. Pura subdivision to make a firsthand assessment of the crop loss caused by incessant rains and subsequent landslides.
He was accompanied by Chief Agriculture Officer Manohar Lal Sharma; SDAO R.S. Pura, Arun Jaral; State Head Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Sonu Kumar, along with SMS SDL, concerned JAEOs, AEAs and representatives of the insurance company. The areas visited by the Director Agriculture included Badyal Brahmana, Dehrian, Chak Hansoo and adjoining villages, where he also interacted with the affected farmers.
During the visit, the Chief Agriculture Officer briefed the Director Agriculture about the prevailing situation in the area and shared detailed information regarding the extent of crop loss. He further informed that the process of compilation of data in Badyal Brahmana and other villages of the R.S. Pura subdivision is in progress. “The SDAO along with his team is working on a war footing to register farmers’ complaints and document the crop loss. To facilitate the process, four farmer registration and grievance facilitation centres have been opened at Badyal Brahmana,” he informed.
As per the preliminary assessment out of total land holding of 95.78 hectares, nearly 74.07 hectares of crop has been damaged in Sangyal village, while the crop over 117.95 hectares have been reported damaged in Bikarma village, which has the total land holding of 143.65 hectares,.
While addressing the farmers, Anil Gupta expressed solidarity with their concerns and reassured them that the Department of Agriculture will take every possible measure to mitigate their losses. He assured the farmers that the department is committed to ensuring timely relief and support under the provisions of PMFBY and other relevant schemes.
The Director issued instructions to the field functionaries to expedite the completion of crop damage assessment reports and submit them to the concerned authorities so that immediate relief measures can be initiated. He also directed that awareness camps be organized across affected villages to educate farmers about their rights and benefits under PMFBY and the claim settlement process. He emphasized the need to mobilize technical teams for on-ground support, ensure timely distribution of seeds and inputs where needed and extend advisory services to farmers on crop restoration measures.