A farmer in Kota district stands in his wheat field, looking at stalks flattened overnight by hailstones and wind. Three months of work — seed cost, fertiliser, irrigation bills, labour — lies on the ground. He is not alone. Across Rajasthan, farmers from Bikaner to Jaipur, from Bharatpur to Jodhpur, faced the same sight in March and early April 2026 as unseasonal rains and hailstorms swept through the state’s rabi growing regions.
For Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, a Cabinet Minister who has consistently shown up personally whenever Jhotwara or Rajasthan faces a crisis — flood, drought, or hailstorm — these are not statistics. His own official website carries the headline: “ओलावृष्टि प्रभावित क्षेत्रों में त्वरित राहत: प्रशासन को सक्रिय रहने के निर्देश” — a direct order to the administration to remain active and deliver rapid relief to hailstorm-hit areas.
What Happened to Rajasthan’s Farmers This Season
Between March and early April 2026, western disturbances brought heavy unseasonal rain and hailstorms to multiple Rajasthan districts. Wheat — the backbone of rabi season — was worst affected. So are isafgul (isabgol), cumin, mustard, chickpea, and vegetable crops. Farmers reported 40% to 80% losses in some pockets. In Rajasthan, where over 35 lakh farmers accessed interest-free short-term crop loans last season, the timing — just weeks before harvest — could not have been worse.
What Col. Rathore Directed — And What the Government Did
Col. Rathore issued clear instructions that administration must be “active” in hailstorm-affected areas and ensure rapid relief reaches farmers without bureaucratic delay. This follows his established pattern — when Dausa was flood-hit in September 2025, he personally visited and confirmed crop compensation would be provided. His approach is the same here: show up, direct action, ensure accountability.
In response to the unseasonal damage, the Rajasthan government took several steps farmers need to know about:
- Loan repayment deadline extended: Kharif 2025 crop loan repayment deadline moved from March 31 to May 15, 2026 — giving farmers breathing room after rain losses
- Girdawari survey ordered: Revenue department officials directed to complete crop loss survey (girdawari) rapidly so compensation can be calculated and disbursed
- PMFBY post-harvest coverage: Farmers whose harvested crop was lying in the field and damaged within 14 days are eligible for insurance claims — if they inform within 72 hours
- Wheat purchase standards relaxed: Centre allowed Rajasthan to buy luster-loss wheat up to 50% (from 6% broken grain limit raised to 15%) — so even damaged wheat can be sold at MSP
How Affected Farmers Can Get Help Right Now
For Rajasthan farmers with crop damage — act within 72 hours of loss:
① Call helpline 14447 or register on Raj Kisan Portal
② Contact your Patwari for Girdawari report initiation
③ File PMFBY claim through your bank or pmfby.gov.in
④ For constituency-level issues and follow-up, contact Col. Rathore’s office directly
Col. Rathore’s consistent message on farmer welfare has been clear: the government’s first responsibility in a crisis is to stand beside the farmer, not wait for paperwork. His latest news updates carry instructions to the administration at every level. For the farmer standing in a damaged field, that message matters — not as a political statement, but as an assurance that someone in power actually feels what they feel.
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