Delhi cabinet clears 50% hike in crop damage relief for farmers

New Delhi: Delhi cabinet has approved around a 50% increase in compensation for crop losses caused by heavy rainfall and waterlogging, raising ex gratia assistance from about Rs 49,421 per hectare to Rs 75,000 per hectare. The enhanced package is expected to benefit nearly 10,000 farmers whose crops were damaged during Aug-Sept last year.

Chief minister Rekha Gupta said the decision was taken in view of extensive crop losses caused by continuous rainfall and the overflow of natural drains, which led to severe waterlogging in agricultural fields.

“Farmers who suffered crop damage due to excessive rainfall in Aug-Sept 2025 will now receive compensation of Rs 75,000 per hectare. Delhi govt stands with food producers,” the chief minister said in a post on X.

Despite being highly urbanised, Delhi has a farming sector concentrated mainly in its rural outskirts and along the Yamuna floodplain. The gross cropped area rose from 33,069 hectares in 2023-24 to 47,040 hectares in 2025-26. Farmers cultivate paddy, maize, bajra and fodder crops during the Kharif season, and wheat, mustard, barley and gram during Rabi. Vegetables are grown round the year.

A survey by the revenue department found that crops suffered complete damage in around 4,442 hectares of land. Under provisions introduced in 2015, farmers were eligible for Rs 49,421 per hectare. The revised rate factors in the rise in cultivation costs over the past decade and will provide higher financial support to affected farmers, the chief minister’s office said.

The govt clarified that assistance will be provided only to recorded landowners. Land owned by companies, Gram Sabha land and farmhouse plots enclosed by permanent boundary walls will not be eligible.

“This assistance will provide immediate relief and help farmers prepare for the next sowing season without disrupting agricultural activity,” the chief minister said.