Kalampur: With no hope of yield from dried paddy plants in parched fields, drought-hit farmers are letting cattle graze their dry fields under Kalampur block of Kalahandi district.
Thousands of acres of paddy fields are drought-hit in Dangariguda, Karmel, Derlapada, Khamanpada and Minagur villages under this block. With no option left, the farmers have let cattle graze in the fields.
Earlier, expressing resentment, some farmers had set their paddy fields on fire.
According to a farmer, it is really hard to let cattle graze in fields as they had tilled their land with great efforts. Earlier, the peasants used to try their best to keep cattle away from their paddy fields. Many incidents of violence and tension have been reported due to grazing of cattle in agricultural field as the animals were destroying standing crop. However, the situation has changed now, the farmer said.
According to reports, farmers of this block depend on Kharif paddy. They had borrowed money from money lenders and banks for cultivation.
Even as the area comes under Indravati irrigation canal, the farmers fail to avail water due to its distance from their fields. The crops were first pest-infested bringing huge loss to the farmers. Inconsistent rain further compounded their woes and destroyed their standing crops.
The farmers tried to sprinkle pesticides, but to no avail. Even the administration did little to help them recover the loss. Fed up, the farmers are letting cattle graze in the fields.
“We are left with no option. What do we do to fend our families and repay the debts,” asked farmers Hare Majhi, Laxmidhar Majhi, Mahendra Majhi, Binod Bihari Chatrapal, Abhiram Lahajal and others.
When contacted, revenue inspector Muktikant Bhoi said 220 acres out of 300 acres cultivable land were drought-hit.
Similarly, tehsildar Aditya Prasad Mishra said a preliminary report of the losses suffered by farmers has been prepared. Necessary help would be provided to the affected farmers after the report is submitted to the government, he added.
Worst-hit are the share croppers. They do not have any hope of receiving succour from the government as share croppers are yet to be recognised under any government yardstick. A share cropper, Pratima Behera said, “We know the land owner would not provide us any relief from the government for crop loss.”
PNN
