Punjab: Akali Dal to provide certified seeds to farmers hit by floods

Shiromani Akali Dal Steps Up for Flood-Hit Farmers in Punjab with Relief and Seed Support

In a big move to support farmers battling the devastating floods in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal unveiled a comprehensive relief programme on Monday. The announcement came after an urgent meeting with senior leaders and district heads in Chandigarh. Badal didn’t just stop at immediate help—he’s pushing for fair compensation from both the central government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab.

Badal kicked off by revealing that SAD has booked 500 trucks of maize silage. Party workers will distribute this essential fodder right at the village level to keep livestock fed during these tough times. On top of that, they’ve arranged for another 500 trucks of compressed hay, which is dry fodder to ensure animals stay healthy amid the flood chaos.

But SAD’s efforts go beyond fodder. The party has bought 500 fogging machines to tackle mosquito threats in flood-affected areas. Volunteers from SAD will operate these machines to prevent diseases from spreading. "We’re not just handing out relief—we’re planning for the future," Badal said, highlighting their forward-thinking approach.

For the upcoming wheat crop, SAD plans to distribute certified wheat seeds to farmers covering one lakh acres of land. This will help them bounce back quickly and boost Punjab’s agriculture recovery. Additionally, to meet daily ration needs, they’ll provide 30,000 quintals of seeds to affected families.

Health and animal welfare are also priorities. At Badal’s request, the Shiromani committee agreed to set up 125 medical camps across flood-hit zones. These camps, run by doctors and staff from Guru Ramdas Hospital in Amritsar, will offer free check-ups and treatments. For livestock, 25 teams of veterinary doctors are ready to assist in flooded areas, ensuring animals get the care they need.

SAD volunteers will even roll up their sleeves to clear sand from farmers’ fields, making it easier to replant and resume farming. This hands-on help shows the party’s commitment to Punjab’s flood-affected farmers and rural communities.

Badal didn’t hold back on his demands for government action. He called for a full loan waiver from the Centre and the state for all flood-affected farmers in Punjab. "A six-month moratorium on loans won’t cut it—these farmers need two to three years to recover from such massive losses," he stressed. He also urged the AAP government to hike ex-gratia payments for flood victims’ families from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per person.

Other key demands include Rs 1 lakh compensation per lost animal, plus aid for all damaged houses. Badal insisted that crop loss compensation should go directly to the cultivator—whether the landowner or lessee—and even extend to those farming on ‘kutcha’ lands. He also wants Rs 50,000 per acre for damaged crops and separate compensation for ‘khet mazdoor’ (farm labourers).

This SAD flood relief initiative in Punjab comes at a critical time, as heavy rains have wreaked havoc on crops, homes, and livelihoods. With demands for farmer compensation and government support gaining traction, eyes are on how the Centre and AAP respond to help Punjab’s agriculture sector recover swiftly.