Gujarat Declares Four Districts Drought-Hit, Announces Relief Package for Farmers

The Gujarat government on Monday officially declared four districts in the state—Kutch, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Porbandar—as drought-hit following inadequate precipitation during the monsoon season. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar after a high-level review meeting.

Addressing reporters, Chief Minister Patel noted that while the state recorded an average rainfall of 89 per cent overall, precipitation remained deficient in these specific regions, directly impacting agricultural output and local livelihoods.

To mitigate the impact on the agricultural community, the state government has announced financial assistance for farmers suffering crop losses. Under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), affected farmers will receive ₹8,500 per hectare for damaged crops, with the payout capped at a maximum of two hectares per beneficiary.

In addition to crop-loss compensation, the relief package addresses livestock management and fodder availability. Cattle owners in the four drought-affected districts will receive financial support of ₹80 per animal per day for a period of two months for animals kept in relief camps.

To address potential fodder shortages, the state government has authorised the distribution of subsidised fodder at ₹2 per kg. According to official figures, 1.21 crore kg of fodder has already been distributed since June-July 2026. The government currently holds a stock of 3 crore kg of fodder and has assured that additional provisions will be arranged if required.

To support rural households facing income disruption due to crop failures, the state has also expanded employment support. Under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) scheme, rural workers in the affected districts will be provided with 150 days of employment starting from November 1.

The drought declaration underscores the challenges posed by uneven regional rainfall distribution, prompting coordinated administrative action across agriculture, livestock care, and rural employment sectors in the state.

"Uneven rainfall distribution poses significant economic challenges for rural economies and agrarian communities. When key agricultural districts face drought conditions, the impact extends beyond crop yields to livestock management and rural employment. Timely administrative intervention through structured relief packages, direct financial assistance, and extended employment guarantees under schemes like VB-G RAM G are essential to stabilize local livelihoods and maintain baseline economic activity in affected regions." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes