Jaipur: Unseasonal rain and severe hailstorms across Rajasthan have damaged standing and harvested crops, with farmers reporting heavy losses in isabgol, cumin, wheat and mustard and accusing the state govt of delaying ground-level crop assessment and compensation.Farmers said the weather has now settled but relief has not reached them, and market prices remain weak. In Sriganganagar’s Arjunsar and Rajiyasar regions, an afternoon hailstorm blanketed fields in white, damaging both standing and harvested produce. “Hailstones were unusually large. I have not seen such intensity in many years,” said Khajan Singh of Patti Khiyan village. He said even harvested wheat was hit. “I harvested nearly 90 quintals of wheat, but it has now turned black due to moisture,” he said.Reports of heavy rain and hail came from Jaipur, Ajmer, Didwana-Kuchaman, Nagaur, Jalore, Dausa, Bikaner, Churu, Sikar, Beawar and other areas, where mature wheat and mustard crops ready for harvest were flattened.In western Rajasthan, farmers in Jaisalmer and Barmer said cumin (jeera) and isabgol suffered extensive damage. “Isabgol gets damaged with excess moisture. Nearly 70% of my crop is destroyed,” said Maman Khan of Masudi village in Jaisalmer.In nearby Sarwari village, Kripal Singh said his isabgol crop on six bighas was wiped out. “Around 900 kg of harvested produce has been ruined after the hailstorm hit,” he said. Farmers also reported damage to wheat left in fields after harvesting due to rain.In Dhodsar village of Sikar district’s Dhod tehsil, Ram Singh said his wheat was close to harvest when the hailstorm struck. “My wheat crop was just days away from harvest, but the hailstorm flattened it completely. The grains are falling and the quality is ruined,” he said. Another farmer said high spending on seeds, fertilisers and irrigation had turned into losses. “We invested heavily in seeds, fertilisers and irrigation. Now, not only has the yield reduced, but whatever remains may not fetch a fair price in the mandi.”Traders and farmers said agricultural markets, including Jaipur mandi, are preparing for lower arrivals in the coming weeks as damaged crops reduce marketable output.Farmer groups demanded immediate crop surveys and timely payouts. Rampal Jat, national president of Kisan Mahapanchayat, criticised the govt’s response. “Relief efforts remain limited to announcements, with little visible action on the ground,” he said.Farmers across districts also cited rising input costs and weak prices as debt pressures grow, warning that without quick compensation and better market returns, more households may be forced to sell livestock, mortgage land or migrate for work.Officials said crop assessments were underway in affected areas and urged farmers to report losses through designated channels and complete documentation for claims under existing schemes for insurance, credit and procurement.
