Patkura: Farmlands and pastures submerged due to low pressure-induced heavy rains in this block of Kendrapara district continue to remain waterlogged for a month now, a report said.
The submergence of the farmlands has destroyed the paddy crops first and now they are rotting due to sunny weather condition.
The crop loss has pushed the farmers into distress as they had borrowed heavily from private money lenders and local cooperative societies to raise their crops.
In such a situation, farmers are now worried over repayment of their loan as well as the money they need to meet the expenses of their family.
The rains have severely affected the agricultural activities in several areas in this block, including Bedari, Mahuria Danda, Mukuti, Baramania, Mahishigotha, Baghatala, Kinilo, Padmapur, Bedarichhkita, Daluani, Srichandanpur and Parakana.
Farmers had borrowed heavily to buy high yielding variety of paddy seeds such as Swarna, Puja, Sarala and Swarna sub-one varieties for cultivation. They sowed the seeds and waited for the rains to irrigate their farmlands.
However, when there was no rain they brought motor pumps on rent to irrigate their farmlands. They also applied chemical fertilisers and pesticides for a good harvest, spending considerable amounts to raise their crops.
The saplings had achieved a considerable growth and were nearing harvest. But as ill luck would have it, the low pressure-triggered incessant rainfall shattered their hopes by submerging their farmlands.
Consequently, the Sarad variety of paddy was completely damaged, another variety, which is quite resistant to pest attack, has developed sprouts.
Many of the farmers were seen harvesting the wet paddy and selling it at throwaway prices to mills for preparing flattened rice. With their crops gone, the farmers are now worried over repayment of their loans.
Farmers said they will be completely ruined if the state government does not provide them with financial assistance.
Bedari sarpanch Gokulananda Behera, villagers Nrusingha Charan Shukla, Dhruba Charan Sahu, Bismaya Khuntia, Gagan Bihari Biswal and Naren Malla have demanded that the administration conduct a probe of the crop loss and provide compensation to the affected farmers.
