In what may be a clear indication of how states initially over-estimated the extent of damage suffered by farmers in recent rains and hailstorms, the Centre on Thursday issued revised data which noted that states had earlier over-reported areas under damaged Rabi crops by nearly 75 lakh hectares.

Revised figures, extended by states, show that the total area under damaged Rabi crop is 106.73 lakh hectares in 14 states as against 181 lakh hectares reported earlier.

As per the revised data, the maximum damage is reported from Rajasthan followed by Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Among all the Rabi crops, wheat faced the maximum damage (on nearly 63 lakh hectares of land).

Referring to estimated production of wheat and current retail price, officials in the agriculture ministry indicated that the value of damaged wheat could roughly be in the region of Rs 32,000 crore. "If one calculates the overall damage while taking into account retail prices of other affected Rabi crops including pulses, maize and mustard, the loss could go beyond Rs 40,000 crore or more", said an official.

He, however, noted that the exact amount of loss could be assessed only when the harvest starts next month. States have, meanwhile, been asked to prepare their own respective estimates. It will further be fine-tuned after the visit of inter-ministerial teams from Centre to the affected states shortly.

The revised report was compiled on the basis of information provided by seven senior officers of the agriculture ministry who went to Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to do an assessment of crop damage in the wake of rains and hailstorms during February 28-March 16.

After getting the report, Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh assured the states that the central government was committed to extend all help to affected farmers. His ministry asked states to immediately "take necessary steps for restructuring farmers' loans and disbursement of crop insurance".

The amended report shows that Uttar Pradesh had initially over-reported the extent of damage by about 60 lakh hectare. The state had first reported damage of Rabi crops on around 97 lakh hectares of land, but later revised it to 26.79 lakh hectares.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/