Lucknow, August 20: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the monsoon and crop sowing situation across the state in a high-level meeting on Saturday.
Keeping in view the interests of the farmers, the Chief Minister gave many important instructions.
The Chief Minister directed that a detailed report on the status of rainfall and sowing of crops should be sent to the Government of India within the next three days.
A total of 284 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the state till August 20 this year. This is less than 504.10 mm of rainfall in 2021 and 520.3 mm of rainfall in 2020. Meanwhile, Chitrakoot district remained the only district that received normal (more than 120 per cent) rainfall. The sowing of Kharif crops has been affected due to lack of normal rainfall.
However, the situation has improved a lot due to the rains since July 19.
Chief Minister Yogi said that the interest of each and every farmer would be kept safe amidst the challenges arising due to scanty rainfall. All possible help will be provided to the farmers by assessing the ground condition of agriculture in detail. The damage caused to the crops of the farmers due to less rainfall will be compensated. He directed to prepare a better relief action plan incorporating all the options.
He said that in view of the wider interest of the farmers of Annadata, it is necessary to provide additional assistance to the farmers in the present circumstances. Due to arrears, tubewell electricity connections of farmers should not be cut. Power supply should be increased in rural areas by Power Corporation. Please ensure that this order is complied with immediately.
Yogi further added, there are 33 districts in the state where only 40 to 60 percent of the normal rainfall has been recorded. In 19 districts, less than 40 per cent rainfall has been received. Sowing of Kharif crops has been affected in these districts. We have to be prepared for all situations.
The Chief Minister said that the technical fault of the tube well should be rectified within 24 to 36 hours in any case. It is expected to be given top priority. Where the dependence on tube wells is high, solar panels should be installed.
A detailed report on the status of rainfall in the state, the exact position of sowing of the crop should be sent to the Government of India within the next three days.
Under Kharif Campaign 2022-23, as on 20th August, 93.22 lakh hectares has been sown in the state against the target of 96.03 lakh hectare, which is only 97.7 percent of the target. Last year till the same date, 98.9 lakh hectares of land had been sown. The sowing is as per the target but due to less rainfall, there is a possibility of damage to the crops in the state. Meanwhile, there has been relief in many districts due to the rains of August 19-20.
Paddy production is expected to be adversely affected in many areas due to deficient rainfall. In the present circumstances, encouraging vegetable cultivation can be a better option. Distribution of Toor seeds would be appropriate. The role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras will be important in this work. Farmers should be made aware about alternative farming.
Pump canals continued to operate smoothly. Continuous patrolling should be done to monitor the sensitive embankments. Provide all necessary assistance to the District Administration, Irrigation Department. There should be better coordination.
It has rained less now, it is possible that in the coming few days there will be more and more rain. In such a situation, we have to be ready for every situation.
By the last week of August, reports should be taken from all the districts and agriculture departments regarding the status of crops, drinking water status and availability of fodder for animals.
The Chief Minister said that accurate weather forecast alerts secure the larger interest of public life. Instruments should be installed at the commissionerate level for more accurate estimates and corresponding weather alerts. The assistance of the State Disaster Management Authority should also be taken in this.
A portal should be developed at the state level to provide accurate weather information to the farmers. Similarly, a data bank should be prepared for detailed information on crop sowing. This data bank will prove useful in policy making for the progress of the farmer.
Continuous monitoring should be done on the situation of flood, excessive rainfall. Continuous monitoring of the water level of rivers should be done. NDRF, SDRF, PAC and disaster management teams should be kept in active mode 24Γ7 in the affected districts. Assistance should be taken from the volunteers of Aapda Prabandhan Mitra, Civil Defense as per the requirement. They should also be given proper training.
With this, the Chief Minister said that arrangements for boats, relief material etc. should be made in time. There should be no delay in relief work in areas affected by floods, heavy rains. All necessary help should be provided to the affected families immediately.
