Rs. 45 lakh to farmers for damaged crops

Statesman News Service

MALDA, June 29: The state government has sanctioned Rs 45 lakh to compensate farmers who lost their crops in a hailstorm, a few days before the recently concluded Assembly election. According to the district agriculture department, the hailstorm caused an estimated loss of Rs 12 crore. During an election campaign at Pakuahaat on 5 May, the chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had assured the farmers that they would be provided adequate compensation for their damaged crops. “The farmers will be compensated in kind and not in cash,” Mr G Ahmed, principal agriculture officer, said, adding that requisitions had been placed for 15,000 mini-kits (6 kg each) for pre-kharif paddy seed, 21,000 mini-kits (6 kg each) for aman paddy seeds and 5,000 mini-kits (3 kg each) for high-breed maize cultivation. Mr Ahmed said the Malda farmers have started sunflower cultivation by adopting new, agriculture techniques. Mr Ahmed said the district plant protection officer has been asked to identify at least two areas in Manikchak and Gazole for setting up a bio-village for producing vegetables, using bio- fertilizer and pesticides. After its finalisation, the agriculture department will develop its infrastructure by notifying the area as a bio-village, Mr Ahmed said. #