Gujarat CM Declares 4 Districts Drought-Affected; Major Aid for Farmers
CM Bhupendra Patel announces crop loss aid and fodder subsidies for farmers in four Gujarat districts hit by low rainfall.
In a significant move to safeguard the livelihoods of the agricultural community, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has officially declared four districts as drought-affected. This decision comes after these regions experienced delayed and insufficient rainfall, leaving farmers and animal husbandry practitioners in a precarious position.
Speaking in Gandhinagar alongside Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, the Chief Minister emphasized that the move follows a rigorous process aligned with the Government of India’s Drought Manual Guidelines, 2016, and extensive high-level deliberations. While Gujarat as a whole received approximately 89% of its average rainfall this year, the impact was unevenly distributed, leaving specific regions struggling.
The Hardest Hit Regions
The state government has identified the following four districts as the most severely impacted by the rainfall deficit:
- Devbhoomi Dwarka
- Porbandar
- Kutch
- Jamnagar
Chief Minister Patel stated that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state remains committed to prioritizing the interests of farmers and ensuring they are not left alone during natural calamities.
Financial Aid and Crop Compensation
To mitigate the losses incurred by the farming community, the state will implement a series of financial measures under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms. Key highlights include:
- Crop Loss Assistance: Farmers will be provided with assistance of Rs. 8,500 per hectare, capped at a maximum of two hectares.
- Employment Opportunities: To prevent rural distress and provide a safety net, the government will provide 150 days of employment under the VB-G RAM-G Yojana in the affected talukas.
These relief measures are scheduled to come into effect starting November 1, 2026.
Saving Livestock: Fodder and Cattle Camps
Recognizing that animal husbandry is a vital pillar of the rural economy, the government has launched an aggressive strategy to manage fodder shortages. Even before the formal drought declaration, the state had approved the distribution of subsidized fodder since June–July 2026.
Fodder Distribution Details:
- Subsidized Rates: Approximately 1.21 crore kilograms of fodder have already been distributed at a highly subsidized rate of Rs. 2 per kilogram.
- Current Reserves: The state currently holds 3 crore kilograms of fodder in stock and is actively procuring more.
- Cattle Camp Support: For animals housed in cattle camps within the drought-declared talukas, the SDRF will provide Rs. 80 per animal per day for two months. Following this period, the state government will continue to cover these costs.
Additionally, District Collectors have been granted special authority to organize fodder distribution for exceptional cases to ensure no livestock suffers.
Water Management and Future Planning
Addressing concerns over water security, the Chief Minister provided an update on the state's reservoir levels. Currently, Gujarat's 206 major dams are at 66% storage capacity.
The government has a clear roadmap for the upcoming Rabi season, planning to supply irrigation water to the command areas of 76 dams. Crucially, the state has prioritized drinking water, maintaining reserves to ensure the needs of the population are met until June 30, 2027.
Irrigation Distribution Plan:
Water will be supplied across various regions based on availability, ranging from one to four rotations:
- North Gujarat: 11 dams, including Dantiwada and Dharoi.
- Central Gujarat: 12 dams, including Panam and Karjan.
- South Gujarat: 9 dams, including Kakrapar, Ukai, and Damanganga.
- Other Regions: 39 dams including Machchhu, Brahmani, and Shetrunji, along with five dams in the Kutch region.