Maharashtra relief for cotton farmers hit by pink bollworm

22 Dec '17

2 min read

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis recently announced relief and financial assistance, including crop insurance and compensation from seed companies, for cotton farmers hit by the pink bollworm attack in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. Every affected farmer shall receive assistance, state agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar told the assembly.

“Those farmers who are eligible to receive crop insurance will be granted the benefit of the scheme and seed companies will be told to pay compensation to farmers,” a report in an Indian financial newspaper quoted Fundkar as saying.

Cotton farmers in Maharashtra may lose nearly 13 per cent output this year due to pink bollworm attack, the state textiles ministry estimates.
Around five lakh applications have been received from farmers, said Fadnavis. The extent of cotton crop damage is still being evaluated.

Kishore Tiwari, chairman of the state government’s special task force on the agrarian crisis, estimates the loss at Rs 10,000 crore in the two regions.

The state government should clarify the quantum of financial assistance to the farmers as Rs 400-500 per acre as compensation will not help, Tiwari said.

Farmers in Marathwada are better covered under cotton crop insurance than those in Vidarbha, according to preliminary reports.

The government has also issued advisories to farmers to avoid third pluckings and burn up the remaining crop to avoid further infestation. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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