Rains, landslides damage 1,03,757 hectares of land in Jammu division

Jammu, Sep 17: A total of 1,03,757 hectares of land have been affected by the recent torrential rains, flash floods and landslides in the Jammu division.

Out of which, 100,000 hectares have suffered more than 33 per cent crop damage.

This assessment, however, according to Director of Agriculture Jammu, Anil Gupta, is based on preliminary reports.

“All Chief Agriculture Officers (CAOs) of the Jammu division have been instructed to ensure accurate crop-cutting surveys so that the actual extent of damage is assessed properly,” Gupta points out while spelling out measures to streamline the process of addressing crop loss due to the recent heavy rains and landslides.

“Besides for awareness generation, timely crop loss intimation and on-ground assessment, the insurance companies have been directed to immediately deploy their field staff in the affected areas and work in close coordination with agriculture officers at the Panchayat level,” he shared.

Insurance companies have also been asked to share data of CC Agri Mobile App training of officers with the Directorate.

Gupta said, “The recent heavy rains and landslides have caused considerable damage to standing crops in many areas. I deeply empathise with the hardships faced by our farming community during this difficult time. The Department of Agriculture is committed to extending every possible support to the affected farmers.”

The Director of Agriculture Jammu has urged all farmers to immediately register and report their crop losses through the toll-free number under PMFBY so that timely compensation and benefits under the crop insurance scheme could reach them.

“Farmers’ cooperation will help us ensure speedy redressal and safeguard your livelihoods,” he asserted.

The Director of Agriculture Jammu chaired a review meeting on Wednesday with state heads of insurance companies at the Directorate of Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo, Jammu, in this connection.

The meeting was aimed at reviewing preparedness and strengthening coordination between the Agriculture Department and insurance companies for timely redressal of claims under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Gupta stated.

The agenda of the meeting focused on the registration of farmers affected by crop loss due to recent heavy rains and landslides.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director (SLUB/Farms) Sohan Singh, Deputy Director (Planning) Priyanka Parihar, Sonu Kashyap, State Head of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Mahavir Singh, State Head of Reliance General Insurance, and Nodal Officer of PMFBY (DAJ) Anirudh Bhat, besides officers from insurance companies, departmental officers and staff members.

The representatives of insurance companies, during the meeting, assured full cooperation and support to the farming community and committed to working in close coordination with the Agriculture Department to ensure quick claim processing and timely relief to farmers.