Punjab agriculture minister Tota Singh on Tuesday said the state agriculture department would soon conduct a comprehensive survey to assess the extent of damage caused to wheat and other crops due to heavy rain in the region.
He said adequate compensation as per government norms would be given to the affected farmers after the completion of the survey.
Tota Singh said the state government was committed to extending all support to farmers whose standing crops had been damaged due to the inclement weather, following a spell of widespread rain across the state.
"Rain at this stage is not desirable as the crop is nearing maturity. The current weather conditions could severely affect crop yield," the minister said. Besides wheat and other rabi (winter) crops, vegetables and fruits have also been affected largely in the state.
The minister also directed the director, agriculture, to review crop damage in the state due to untimely rain. He added that rain may affect the photosynthesis activity of the crop that cause shrivelling of the grain size.
He also instructed the field staff of the department to regularly monitor the crops and immediately inform about any attack of yellow rust so that necessary treatment can be done to the affected crop.
He also instructed the field staff of the department to regularly monitor the crops and immediately inform about any attack of yellow rust so that necessary treatment can be done to the affected crop.