Unpredictable rains, hailstorms, and strong winds have harmed wheat crops across more than 5.23 lakh hectares in three states, raising concerns about massive output losses and harvesting issues for farmers.
India is a major producer of wheat, a critical staple for a large population, and the crop damage scenario comes against a backdrop of persistently high inflation and food security concerns globally, as well as geopolitical uncertainty.
He also expressed his condolences for the loss of life in the state as a result of various disasters and directed district magistrates to quickly release the allowable relief amount from the state disaster response fund (SDRF) to the families of the deceased.
On Saturday, the chief minister convened a high-level conference to examine the situation caused by recent untimely rains and hailstorms in various districts of the state, and he provided relevant directions to officials.
According to the survey, 3,4137.52 hectares of agricultural land in 10 districts and 1,02,497 farmers have been affected by the state's unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms since March 15.
Hailstorms have recently impacted Pilibhit, Bareilly, Sitapur, Aligarh, Moradabad, Sonbhadra, Hamirpur, Sambhal, and Unnao districts, and agricultural damage is being assessed.