Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today claimed that previous governments in the state had failed farming and farmers by refusing to take measures to make agriculture profitable and that those who suffered losses as a result of natural disasters would be compensated fairly before the assessment of the quantum of crop (girdawari) loss in the future.
During an event in Mansa, the CM addressed the issue and promised to recompense farmers whose cotton crop was affected by pink bollworm infestation last year.
The attack damaged 1.36 lakh acres of crop for 56,372 farmers in Mansa district, and the farmers will receive Rs 231 crore in relief at a rate of Rs 17,000 per acre.
During the event, the CM provided a few distressed farmers with cheques.
The rest of the farmers would get the relief in phases. "There would have been no crop loss if farmers had kept spurious seeds and sprays under check," Mann added.
The true culprit was not the infestation, but the government of the day, which provided substandard crops and pesticides. Farmers who suffer losses as a result of natural disasters would be fairly reimbursed in the future, before the assessment of the quantum of crop loss (girdawari)."
"Whenever the crop is damaged in fields and does not reach mandis, it is unfortunate," he remarked.
Is there anyone here to advise you on which spray or pesticide to use when your crop is attacked by pests? The crop is destroyed not only by infestation but also by politics."
"Agriculture is the country's mainstay, but due to successive governments' uncaring attitudes, many farmers no longer consider it a profitable career, and some are considering selling their land. However, there are plans in the works to make farming more profitable. This will also reduce the number of suicides. Just allow us some time to implement reforms," Mann urged.
MLAs Budh Ram (Budhalada), Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana (Maur), and Gurpreet Singh Banawali (Sardulgarh) were also present, along with Health Minister Dr. Vijay Singla.
