Jharsuguda: A drought situation looms large in Jharsuguda district where 61.65 per cent of paddy cultivated this Kharif season was damaged due to lack of water and scant rainfall, a report said.
As per a preliminary report, out of total 50,404 hectares in which paddy was cultivated, 31,076 hectares were affected by drought. This report was based on a survey done by officials in different blocks of the district.
The report will be submitted to the Special Relief Commisssioner (SRC) Monday. A second report would be prepared again, deputy director of agriculture, Puspesh Pujari, said.
Farmers attributed the situation to lack of irrigation facilities. Even as five irrigation projects were inaugurated this year, they have not been of much use to farmers, it was alleged.
Out of 50,404 hectares cultivated, paddy in 31,076 hectares has been completely damaged. Lakhanpur block was the worst hit where 9,045 hectares of paddy was damaged out of 13,800 cultivated.
Similarly, in Laikera block 7,232 hectares were affected out of 10,903 hectares; in Kirmira block 4,625 out of 6,825 hectares, in Kolabira block 4,186 out of 8,592 hectares and in Jharsuguda block 5,988 out of 10,284 hectares, the report of the agriculture department said.
“The preliminary report will be sent to the SRC. Drought assistance, input subsidy and other kinds of compensation will be provided to the affected farmers,” an officer said, adding steps were being taken to provide compensation to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
PNN
