Input subsidy estimated at Rs 21.19 crore
Vijayawada:Inclement weather conditions, including heavy rains, gales and hailstorms caused damage to several horticulture crops from March to May in parts of Andhra Pradesh.
As a result, the input subsidy for the affected farmers has been estimated at Rs 21,19,40,710 as per norms of state disaster response fund; and an additional Rs 13,55,06,430 as per the national disaster response fund.
The horticulture authorities have enumerated the extent of damage to the crops and the number of farmers affected who are entitled to input subsidy.
In March, 77 villages in six districts --YSR, Anantapur, Sri Satya Sai, Nandya, Prakasam and Srikakulam -- suffered damage to crops like banana, betel vine, drumstick, papaya, pomegranate and chillies spread over a total of 1,395.47 hectare. This affected 1,689 farmers who would have to be paid input subsidies of Rs 4,89,86,850 as per SDRF norms and Rs 3,07,87,795 as per NDRF norms.
In April, 73 villages in eight districts --YSR, Anantapur, Annamayya, Sri Satya Sai, Prakasam, Nandyal, Kurnool, NTR and Kakinada -- suffered damage to crops like banana, papaya, acid lime, vegetables and drumstick in 266.98 hectares. This affected 391 farmers, who are entitled to input subsidies of Rs 90,44,815 (SDRF) and Rs 58,33,524 (NDRF).
There was a second wave of damage to the crops in 19 districts, through 1,347.65 hectares area, affecting 2,210 farmers. They are entitled to input subsidies of Rs 4,47,23,745 (SDRF) and Rs 2,89,16,806 (NDRF).
In May, crops like banana, betel vine, papaya, vegetables, acid lime and oil palm suffered damage in five districts --Krishna, Kakinada, Eluru, Nandyal and West Godavari. This calls for input subsidies of `34,47,850 (SDRF) and `19,94,230 (NDRF).
In addition to these, the mango crop suffered a fruit drop due to heavy winds and unseasonal rains from April 7 to 13 in NTR district. This caused damage in 3,021.07 hectares, affecting 5,418 farmers with the input subsidies for them estimated at Rs 10,57,37,450 (SDRF) and Rs 6,79,74,075 (NDRF).
A senior horticulture officer said, “Under the influence of bad weather, several crops suffered damage from March to May. Our teams have enumerated the damage and submitted a report to the state government for sanction of input subsidies to the affected farmers. This would enable them to recoup from the loss and raise crops again.”
