Assessment of crop damage begins in Ganjam

Berhampur: Due to scanty rainfall and acute problem of water for the paddy field, 66 thousand 610 hectare of paddy field from 22 blocks have been damaged out of 2 lakh 10 thousand 450 hectares in Ganjam till October 20. The assessment of affected crop during the current year is going on by the department of Statistics in the district.

This year, 3 lakh 97 thousand 505 hectares of land had rice crop along with other crops out of 4 lakh 11 thousand 581 hectares of agricultural land. After the 20-30 percent loss in the month of August this year, the fresh assessment of crop loss of October is increasing day by day.

According to the data by Deputy Director of Agriculture of the district, the assessment of crop loss in Bellaguntha block is 5,655 hectare, Jagannathprasad 5,150, Rangeilunda 4,820, Buguda 4,540, Khallikote 4,250, Patrapur 3,060, Kukudakhandi 2,920, Sanakhemundi 3,600, Digapahandi 3,065, Bhanjanagar 1,660, Sorada 3065, Dharakot 1,900, Sheragada 2,600, Aska 2,010, Polasara 2,200, KS Nagar 2,870, Chatrapur 1,530, Ganjam 1,190, Hinjili 1,600, Purusottampur 2,010, Beguniapada 2,550.

The district has received 13 mm rainfall against 120 mm till October 20. The district witnessed 90 percent less rainfall which led the drought like situation in the district this year.

The previous crop loss due to heavy rainfall during the time of harvesting last year and drought like situation of the current year harassed the farming community. The farmers of different blocks started migrating to other states in the search of job as the continuous damage of crops left them in lurch. Different organizations are demanding for the declaration of drought in the district. Some farmer bodies of the district claimed that the assessment by the District Agriculture Department is to laughing at the farmers. The assessment is not exact and the loss is heavier than the assessment by the department.

“The assessment of crop loss due to less rainfall in the district is going on. The loss is increasing day by day. Till October 20, the loss was estimated as 66, 610 hectares. The statistics department will give its report again after the completion of the crop loss assessment”, said Deputy Director of Agriculture of the district Aparty Sethi to The Pioneer.