Farmer U. Venkateswarlu inspects his damaged maize crop at Kambampadu village in NTR district after unseasonal rains and strong gales lashed the Andhra Pradesh–Telangana border on March 19, 2026, causing extensive losses to standing crops.
| Photo Credit: RAO GN
A high-level meeting, chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the overall condition of the agriculture sector here on Friday (March 20, 2026) after recent incidents of heavy rain, showers, hailstorms, and other adverse weather conditions reported from various parts of the country. The meeting assessed the potential losses suffered by farmers.
A Government release, issued after the meeting, said the Ministry discussed the immediate needs of farmers, the process of insurance claims, and the functioning of relief mechanisms in detail. Talking to reporters, Mr. Chouhan said the government’s focus is not limited to production alone, but it will scientifically assess crop damage, properly settle insurance claims, and provide other timely assistance to farmers.
The meeting also discussed policy measures, relief mechanisms, and sought to ensure that the outreach of various schemes of the central government are coordinated effectively at all levels so that farmers receive timely and adequate support.
Mr. Chouhan instructed officials to establish communication and coordination with state governments so that crop cutting experiments are carried out properly, losses are accurately assessed, and insurance claims are prepared in a correct and scientific manner. “If farmers have suffered losses, their insurance claims should be prepared properly and scientifically so that we can support our farmer brothers and sisters,” he said.
He said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated the possibility of two more western disturbances in the coming days. Mr. Chouhan said the procurement of wheat and paddy is set to begin in the coming days. On pulses, he said the Centre will procure whatever quantity is produced by farmers. “Procurement of pulses will be carried out not only by state governments but also through agencies such as National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF), ensuring that farmers are not forced to sell below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and are able to receive fair remuneration for their produce,” he said and aded that the Government expects a record harvest of wheat.
Published – March 20, 2026 10:47 pm IST
