Rajasthan declares 2,961 villages scarcity-hit after kharif crop loss

As many as 2,961 villages in six districts of Rajasthan were declared at risk of famine on Friday following massive kharif crop loss caused by heavy rains this year. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has approved payment of subsidy to farmers in affected areas.

Mr. Sharma said here that the agriculture subsidy will be disbursed from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to more than eight lakh farmers. The famine-hit villages are located in 40 tehsils in Ajmer, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Pali, Kota and Banswara districts.

Farmers who suffer more than 30 percent crop loss will receive subsidies as per the rules. Mr. Sharma said compensation will be calculated based on the extent of kharif crop loss.

After heavy rains caused serious damage to crops in many districts, farmers requested agricultural support to compensate for the damage. The state government then instructed local revenue officials to conduct a survey of the damage. Subsidy approval follows the submission of these research reports.