Bari: Hundreds of farmers in Ahilabad village under this block in Jajpur district have reportedly opted out of agriculture, their age-old profession over last few years. Experts expressed concern that the trend might continue with the availability of other income sources.
According to sources, the village was home to over 300 farmer families. The village was divided into four wards and falls under Ratnagiri panchayat. Not long ago, the village was known as the ‘village of farmers’ as it produced the most crops in the block.
However, the crop production has drastically fallen in the village over the years. The village is now on the verge of losing the tag of ‘village of farmers’ as most of the farmers have opted out of agriculture and prefer to work as bonded labourers. Although the government is well aware of this trend, it fails to recognise it and take corrective actions.
According to reports, there were more than 12, 000 hectares of farmland in the village. Crops produced in the village were exported to various parts of the state and outside, sources said. However, the acreage has shrunk with time. Land acquisitions for industrialization, road widening and creation of new roads have eaten into the expanse of agricultural land.
Now the village has few families that take up agriculture full time. They would rather be bonded labourers. Most of the men in the village reside outside of the state, especially in Surat, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, Delhi where they work as bonded labourers. The burden of farming is left to women resulting in the decline of agriculture. More than 200-250 families have opted out of agriculture over last few years, sources said.
The village produced paddy, black-gram, green-gram, wheat, groundnuts, jute, mustard, maize and different types of vegetables. It had a record of producing more than 10 tonnes of jute. Most of the agricultural products from the village were exported to Kolkata for sale. However, the village now hardly grows jute.
Over last five-six years, the village has witnessed a successive decrease in the number of farmers. In 2010-15, altogether 12, 000 hectares of land was under cultivation in the village, which has now declined to a few hectares. Locals said the situation is far more serious. Adding to their misery, drought and floods devastate their crops. Woman farmers who were left behind in the village lack the knowledge of modern technologies to enhance crop productivity.
Few who still continue farming are under the burden of loans from banks and private-money lenders. The loan-burden pushes most farmers to commit suicide, therefore dragging farmers from agriculture. The government also does little to save agriculture.
Agricultral officer Jajati Keshari Jena said encouraging agro-processing industries in rural areas and infrastructure development should be undertaken on priority to control the downfall in agricultural sector.
“The biggest factor behind farmers leaving agriculture is poor irrigation facilities. The irrigation cover in the village is very low. A cash crop like cotton is largely rainfed putting pressure on farmers for making irrigation arrangements. Besides, foodgrain cultivation is also largely dependent on monsoon, which is adding to farmers’ frustration. Unless these issues are tackled, there is no hope for farming in this farmers’ village.” Jena added. PNN
