Harichandanpur/Bangiriposi: While farmers across the state are distressed over paddy soaking in rainwater, the crop has started germinating. Adding to their woes, elephants have been playing havoc with paddy crop in parts of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts.
Reports from Harichandanpur in Keonjhar said acres of farmland are full of rainwater in 25 panchayats with the paddy stocked in yards and farmlands germinating.
Famers of the region were expecting a good harvest, but the incessant rain dashed their hopes. They are now worried over repaying their loans.
Rain has affected farming in Kalimati, Pitapiti, Sunapentha, Harichandanpur, Rebana, Palashpala, Kaduadiha, Laxmipur, Sagadapata, Bhangamunda, Janghira and Jamujodi.
“Due to incessant rain, paddy has started germinating. Paddy drops from shoots while collecting from farmland,” said Dukhabandhu Sahu, a famer of Pitapiti.
Farmers have demanded immediate assessment of the crop damage and compensation.
Reports from Bangiriposi in Mayurbhanj said even as paddy crops remain flattened by rainwater, rampaging elephants have been causing further damage. Farmers have lost their sleep over the double whammy.
Elephants have trampled standing paddy crops in 15 acres of land at Kuabasa village in Dhobanishola panchayat under Bangiriposi forest range. Under these circumstances, the farmers hardly have any chance of harvest.
Locals said forest officials drive away the elephants, but the latter reappear only to damage the crops. After 8 pm, the area is reverberated with trumpeting of elephants.
The jumbo menace has broken the economic backbone of farmers who were already affected by the recent unseasonal rain.
Famers Kusun Hansda, Sugada Hembram, Sanbaga Hembram, Rami Hembram, Bagra Hembram, Balia Soren, Bhatu Hansda and Ramchandra Hansda demanded compensation for the damage. They warned of an agitation if no step is taken to compensate them for the losses.
Bangiriposi forest ranger Tapan Kumar Das said the department has kept a vigil on the elephants. The famers who have pattas for the land will get compensation, but they have to apply for it, the ranger said.
A herd of 17 elephants has reportedly caused extensive damage to crops at Chikinia in Manharpur panchayat under Ghatagaon block in Keonjhar Saturday night. The animals also damaged vegetables and plantain plants. With the animals coming in hordes, the farmers are finding it difficult to save their crops.
Rainwater accumulated in farmland has damaged paddy in several blocks of Balasore and Bhadrak districts too.
Crop damage has been reported in 11 panchayats of Oupada block in Balasore Sunday. Even as farmers have been struggling to retrieve the paddy from water-logged farmland, agriculture officials have not yet visited some areas of Oupada, farmers alleged, demanding quick disbursal of compensation.
Thousands of farmers in Dhamnagar block in Bhadrak, Khaira and Dhusuri blocks in Balasore and Ghasipura block in Keonjhar district were also affected by the low pressure-triggered rain. PNN
