As flood waters are gradually receding State authorities are expeditiously engaged in making estimates of losses suffered by the people and the State. It appears that the Revenue Department has moved along fast track to bring to the notice of the competent authorities details of agricultural losses suffered by the people in various districts of the Valley. Total agricultural losses suffered by the Valley are estimated to be around 3, 674 crores, spread over three lakh hectares of land. We have now available break up details of the losses meaning district-wise and crop-wise like paddy, maize, pulses, vegetables, cereals and other crops. Most importantly in Pulwama district the saffron crop has suffered losses worth 778 crore rupees and the district has suffered Rs 1104 crore losses of the agriculture crop spread over 32100 hectares of land. Farmer of Jammu region have also suffered massive losses in the catastrophe and this was also confirmed by Agriculture Department officials. The condition of agricultural products in other districts of the State is no better.
Obviously the Government shall have to come to the rescue of the farmers and agriculturists. The losses on account of horticulture chapter are not included in these figures. Therefore, unless the Government takes a massive step to support the agriculturists and horticulturists in the State how can agrarian industry recover from this big onslaught. A criterion of providing relief to the affected people shall have to be laid down and followed. Agricultural relief is a huge and long drawn task and cannot be completed quickly. Immediate relief to the devastated families is different from regular and long term investment in agrarian activities. May be a new wing shall have to be opened in the Relief and Rehabilitation Department exclusive for the people and families that have suffered from the ravages of recent floods.
The apprehension is that owing to floods the quality of soil might have been affected adversely at some places. Some sensitive crops need specific soil and climate and the floods bring with them different properties of the layers of mud that are spread over the original layer of the soil. Agronomists will have to pay attention to this part of the flood story. It is also possible that under the silt the demarcating lines of agrarian holdings might have been washed away. This will be another task for the Revenue officials to restore the original demarcation lines and boundaries. In short much is to be done to revive the agricultural activities in the State after the impact of the floods is over.
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