Atchannaidu Orders Fast-Track Enumeration of Cyclone Crop Losses

Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu has instructed Agriculture and Horticulture Department officials to complete the enumeration of crop losses caused by the recent cyclone without delay, stressing that no farmer who suffered damage should be excluded from the exercise.

Chairing a review of preliminary damage reports and the pace of enumeration, the Minister underlined the importance of field-level verification to arrive at an accurate picture of losses to agricultural and horticultural crops. He asked officials to maintain transparency and accuracy while recording the details of affected farmers and the extent of their losses.

Preliminary figures from the Horticulture Department put the damage at 89 mandals and 351 villages spread over 14 districts. Horticultural crops over an estimated 1,734 hectares were affected, involving 5,777 farmers. Enumeration has been completed for 445 hectares covering 950 farmers, while details for another 1,289 hectares are yet to be recorded.

The Agriculture Department's initial estimates indicate that 1,229 villages in 190 mandals have been affected, with crop loss reported by an estimated 71,796 farmers. Agricultural crops were damaged over roughly 44,029 hectares. So far, enumeration has been completed for 726 farmers in 45 villages across 19 mandals.

Mr. Atchannaidu directed Joint Directors and Assistant Directors of Agriculture and Horticulture, Agriculture Officers, Horticulture Officers and other field staff to treat the enumeration as a priority. Officials were told to visit the affected areas in person, assess conditions on the ground and make sure that every farmer who suffered crop loss is accounted for.

The departments have also been asked to finish the exercise at the earliest and submit comprehensive district-wise and crop-wise details of the damage to the government.