The Teleconference on crop damage due to hail storm and unseasonal rains was conducted by APC and Prl. Secretary to Government along with Commissioner & Director of Agriculture and Commissioner of Horticulture. Representatives of 3 Insurance Companies, i.e. United India Insurance Company, ICICI Lombard and Bajaj Alliance also attended the meeting.
The APC and Prl. Secretary to Government addressed the District Agriculture Officers about the seriousness of the crop damage issue across the state due to recent hailstorms and unseasonal rains. He requested them to be alert, form enumeration teams and immediately take up the work of assessment of crop loss in the districts and submit report. He further indicated that DAOs must report the nature of damage specifically, whether it is lodging, grain shredding, shedding or shattering.
In view of urgency of this item of work he directed all the DAOs not to sanction any kind of leave to field staff till enumeration of crop damage and proper reporting is submitted. He also instructed that all field staff, i.e. AEOs to DAOs should be available in the field level.
As per the preliminary report submitted by the DAOs crop damage is noticed in 20 districts out of which severe damage is reported in 5 to 6 districts.
The Prl Secretary further instructed all DAOs to expedite proposals on Rythu Vedika to be constructed in AEO clusters. He informed all DAOs to make arrangements for distribution of cheques under Investment Support Scheme from April 20th onwards.
The Commissioner and Director of Agriculture while explaining the importance of enumeration of crop damage due to recent natural calamity has instructed all DAOs to ensure that there should be no discrepancy in the figures submitted to different authorities. the Commissioner Horticulture also requested the District Horticulture Officers to be a part of the assessment teams and report the damage caused to horticulture crops. Due to recent calamity heavy damage is noticed in mango, banana and acid lime in 4 to 5 districts. During the teleconference senior officers of Agriculture Department also interacted with the DAOs on this issue.
