Jharkhand Government to Launch New Scheme for ‘Drought-Hit’ Farmers

The Jharkhand agriculture department is currently working on an action plan to address the drought's potential risks during the current Kharif season. Beginning on Friday (22 July), farmers will be able to register for the Jharkhand Rajya Fasal Rahat Yojana (JRFRY), which would give them financial help.

The administration has been requested to establish district and block-level panels to evaluate the real situation of paddy coverage in relation to rainfall, according to agriculture minister Badal Patralekh's statement on Thursday.

"Rainfall is 50% less than usual," stated Paralekh. “Less than 10 percent of the 18 lakh hectares could be sown with paddy. To give farmers financial assistance, we will begin registering them under the JRFRY from Friday. All districts have been asked to create backup plans, alternative road maps, and advocate for crops that can withstand drought.”

In the event of crop loss owing to weather irregularities, farmers will receive a maximum fiscal compensation of Rs 20,000 on up to five acres of land under JRFRY. Farmers must register on jrfry.jharkhand.gov.in in order to access it.

A farmer will receive Rs 3000 per acre from the state coffers for a crop loss of 30 to 50 percent and Rs 4000 per acre if the crop loss is greater than 50 percent. "We will only provide compensation for up to five acres per farmer. Through 20,000 common service centers and camps around the state, we will begin a special effort to enroll farmers, the official said.

He also said that before approaching the Center to declare a drought, they would wait another 10 days. On July 28, he scheduled a meeting with expert agencies.