PATNA: Standing crops worth Rs 800 crore were destroyed due to the flood wrought by the Kosi river in Bihar, State Agriculture Minister Nagmani told reporters on Tuesday.
While stating that a detailed assessment was being made, Nagmani said an estimated Rs 800 crore was lost in terms of crop damage due to Kosi flood in the five north Bihar districts of Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria and Purnia.
He said nearly three lakh hectares of cropland were submerged under flood water.
The Agriculture Minister said he would meet the union Fertiliser Minister Ramvilas Paswan to press for distribution of free fertilisers in the flood affected areas.
He would also call on Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to request for distribution of free seeds in the areas.
When pointed out that paddy crops in some parts of the state were wilting due to poor rainfall, Nagmani said the government had already taken a decision to give subsidy on diesel to the farmers in areas where drought like situation prevails.