Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday declared the unseasonal rain that struck the state in December last year as a “natural calamity.” This designation will enable the disbursement of compensation to farmers through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for crop losses caused by the untimely weather event.

Speaking at the Krushi Odisha Conclave 2025, held in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting affected farmers. “Farmers who have suffered a crop loss of 33 percent or more due to the unseasonal rain will be provided assistance as per the provisions of the relief code,” Majhi stated.

The government has allocated approximately ₹291 crore from the SDRF for this purpose. The relief aims to mitigate the financial burden on farmers who faced significant damage to their crops during the unexpected weather conditions.

The unseasonal rain disrupted rabi crops in several districts, leaving farmers grappling with losses. Agricultural experts have highlighted the growing impact of erratic weather patterns on farming and emphasized the need for adaptive measures to reduce risks.

The announcement was met with widespread approval from farmers and agricultural organizations, who had been urging the government to recognize the severity of the situation and extend timely assistance.

The Krushi Odisha Conclave 2025 is a key platform for discussing advancements in agriculture and addressing challenges faced by farmers. The Chief Minister’s announcement underscores the state government’s dedication to protecting the agricultural sector, which is the backbone of Odisha’s economy.