The storm on Monday, July 29, affected many farms in the Zemgale region. In many places, crops that have not yet been harvested have been blown over by the wind and fields are under water. Potato and other vegetable fields are also expected to be damaged in the region, and orchards have been affected in some places.
The Minister said that the damage was still being surveyed, farmers could apply in the electronic application system and state representatives would then inspect the affected farms to assess the damage.
The farmers who have not managed to get their rapeseed cut are in a bad way, the Minister concluded. The rapeseed was more severely damaged in Zemgale, but there was also damage in Kurzeme and Vidzeme.
Krauze also said that it was not known at the moment whether it would be possible to sow winter oilseed rape in the fields, as it is due in August, but the fields are wet, and if the rains continue it will not be possible to sow. However, if it is done later, this will affect wintering and yields.
