Lucknow: In a major farmer-centric measure, Yogi govt on Friday announced an increase in financial assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), doubling compensation for loss of human lives in natural disasters and accidents to Rs 8 lakh and increasing compensation for crop damage by 25% to 30%.According to relief commissioner Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod, the decision will directly benefit over 10 lakh farmers whose crops were damaged by natural calamities between April 1 and Nov 4 this year.According to official figures, crops spreading across around 52 lakh hectares and belonging to over 10 lakh farmers were reportedly affected during this period following untimely rains and hailstorms.The revised compensation rates will be applicable from April 1, 2026, bringing a substantial number of affected farmers within the ambit.Under the revised norms, the financial assistance payable to the next of kin of people who lose their lives in natural disasters or accidents has been increased from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 8 lakh.Govt has also revised the assistance for crop losses across different categories. Compensation for damage to irrigated crops has been increased from Rs 17,000 to Rs 22,000 per hectare, while assistance for non-irrigated crops has gone up from Rs 8,500 to Rs 11,000 per hectare. Likewise, compensation for perennial crops has been enhanced from Rs 22,500 to Rs 30,000 per hectare.The assistance amount for the death of large animals during a disaster has been increased from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. For the death of small animals like goats, sheep and pigs, the assistance amount will be Rs 5,500 instead of Rs 4,000.In case of the death of pack animals like horses and mules, the assistance amount has been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,400. For poultry farmers, the assistance amount per bird has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 130.Officials said the revised rates have been aligned with the enhanced assistance norms under SDRF and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), recently announced by the Centre.The decision is significant for UP, where farmers are frequently exposed to crop losses caused by unseasonal rainfall, floods, waterlogging, hailstorms and other extreme weather events.Apart from crop damage and loss of human lives, govt has also extended relief provisions to livestock owners. As many as 3,537 livestock losses have been reported in the state between April 1 and Nov 4, 2026. The affected livestock owners will also be entitled to assistance under the revised norms.The move is being seen as an important intervention by state govt to strengthen its disaster-relief framework, particularly at a time when agricultural distress and weather-related uncertainties remain major concerns for the rural population.
