Officials estimate that 7% to 10% of the district’s paddy crop, grown across 50,000 hectares, has been damaged just as it was nearing harvest.
They said the exact extent of the damage would be known after a field survey. Bijnor: Three days of incessant rain and strong winds have damaged paddy, sugarcane and vegetable crops across Bijnor district.
Strong winds have also flattened sugarcane crops, which cover nearly 2.5 lakh hectares in the district.
District cane officer Brajesh Kumar Patel said, “Flattened sugarcane could reduce both crop yields and sugar recovery as mills prepare for the new crushing season. The affected farmers should be compensated,” said sugarcane farmer Nitin Sirohi. Deputy director of agriculture Ghanshyam Verma said the damaged paddy could affect both production and rice quality. “We are conducting a survey to assess the losses suffered by farmers,” he said.
Farmers have called on authorities to provide immediate financial compensation. “The rain and strong winds have caused substantial damage to paddy and sugarcane. Vegetable crops have also been affected.