Should the zakat on damaged crops be paid in money or in substitute crops, given that its beneficiaries have requested money?

If the produce reaches the nisab (threshold) and a year has passed over it, zakat becomes obligatory on it. It must be paid immediately upon remembering it, even if it was forgotten. The owner must pay it from the same type of wealth, which is wheat. Forgetting does not nullify zakat because the obligation of zakat becomes established upon harvesting.