“Time has changed everything… once I was the one who gave to others with my own hands. Today… I am the one who is receiving donations.” These words from Gurpreet Singh, a farmer in Gurdaspur, describe the heartbreak of Punjab’s farming community. The recent floods have devastated their crops and crushed their spirit. Farmers who once provided food for millions are now dependent on relief.
Gurdaspur and Amritsar are the worst hit. Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) reached these districts on 1st September 2025 to offer immediate support. The team distributed relief kits to more than 300 families. On 7th September, while distributing kits, they witnessed a painful sight. The paddy fields that once stood lush and ready for harvest now lay buried under mud and water. For the farmers, these fields were their only hope. Many had invested all their savings or taken loans to ensure a good yield. In just a few days, it all disappeared under five feet of floodwater.
The pain is visible everywhere. Surinder Pal Singh could not speak of his loss. He simply pointed to his 14-acre field, which is now destroyed. His silence was heavier than words. Harbinder Singh, another farmer, shared his struggle. “I lost 9 acres. My son has just finished his studies, and I promised him that I would send him abroad for higher education. Farming was my only hope. Now everything is gone… just gone.” Their words reflect despair and broken dreams.
Farmers Without Agricultural Insurance
For decades, Punjab’s farmers have lived under constant pressure, including rising debts, low incomes, and extreme weather conditions. Climate change has made things worse, with floods and droughts becoming more frequent. The recent floods have caused massive losses. As per the state government, crops on over 4.29 lakh acres were damaged by September 4, 2025. Most of these fields are submerged under knee-deep water, marking total destruction. Farmers say the actual damage is much higher and will only be clear once the water recedes.
Crop or agricultural insurance should act as a lifeline in such times. It is meant to support farmers against natural disasters and unpredictable weather. But Punjab does not have a proper agricultural insurance scheme. This safety net is missing. The Union government’s Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana does not function in the state. The Punjab government has been planning its own insurance model, but it is not in place yet. This gap leaves farmers without protection. Those who might have some coverage face long delays before help arrives. During the team’s interaction with the farmers, they discovered that most do not have agricultural insurance.
Without insurance, the burden falls directly on families. Many farmers now face heavy debts, with no harvest to repay loans. Their livelihoods and future plans are shattered. The ordeal of Punjab’s farmers is a reminder that natural disasters may be sudden, but their impact lingers for years.
At this moment, Punjab’s farmers stand at a crossroads. They need urgent relief and long-term solutions. Financial aid, fair compensation, and a farmer-friendly insurance scheme are necessary. We cannot afford to let our farmers sink into despair. Their survival is tied to the food security of the nation. When they fall we also fall.
CYDA stands in solidarity with the people of Punjab and is committed to help them rebuild their lives. We urge you to join hands with us in this cause and work together to restore normalcy and bring hope back to their lives.
How You Can Help
If you would like to support the ongoing relief efforts, please reach out to us:
Organization: Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA)
Contact Person: Mr Ameer Nadaf, 9632098429
Email: [email protected]
For more details, visit www.cydaindia.org
About CYDA
Since 1999, Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) has been a youth-led non-profit organization that promotes and protects young people’s rights, including expression, participation, education, health, safety, and equality. CYDA empowers young people to contribute to a just and inclusive society while also responding to disasters and emergencies. From the 2004 Tsunami to the floods in Kerala and Maharashtra to the COVID-19 pandemic, CYDA has consistently worked on the ground to bring relief and dignity to affected communities.
