The torrential rain in July has destroyed crop estimated to be worth Rs 1,193.75 crore in 17 districts of the state. The maximum damage was inflicted in Banaskantha and Patan districts; in all, 7.24 lakh farmers have been affected. A survey conducted by the state agriculture department has revealed that agriculture and horticulture have been hit in 4,309 villages. Even the Gujarat Land Development Corporation has suffered losses because of rain. Officials records state that 6.50 lakh farmers have suffered a loss of more than 33% in these 4,309 villages. In July, the state received 525.91mm of rain on an average. The state has so far received 673.09mm rain against its average annual rainfall of 810mm. Officials in the agriculture department said that the government will have to pay 6.26 lakh farmers Rs 858 crore in compensation. The officials said that land under the Gujarat Land Development Corporation, which is given to farmers, has also yielded losses. In all, 94,581 such farmers have lost Rs 335.70 crore. The officials said that 763 survey teams were sent to 4,332 village to assess losses to agriculture, and 405 teams surveyed losses to horticulture. The officials said that crop spread across nearly 12.72 lakh hectares has been damaged. Rajkot, Surendranagar, and parts of Mehsana have also recorded crop losses. The officials said that in several areas of Banaskantha and Patan, farmers will not be able to carry out sowing for winter crops because silt has covered the fields. Gujarat's agriculture minister Chiman Sapariya said that the government was scrutinizing the preliminary report. He said 10 lakh hectares area may have been hit by the rain. A senior official from the agriculture department said that officials are studying each case and are talking with insurance companies to ensure that farmers' claims are settled expeditiously. Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com