Chadheidhara (Jajpur): Cyclonic storm Fani which struck the Odisha coast severely impacted the life and livelihood of people as it destroyed their vegetable cultivation in villages under Dharmasala block in Jajpur district.
The farmers in Kustira, Rekhideipur, Mala, Kantapatna villages under Dharmasala block who had cultivated pointed gourd on their farmlands were the most affected. All their hopes were dashed after the calamity struck the Odisha coast.
Similar is the fate of the farmers who had cultivated lady’s fingers and ridged gourds on their farmlands.
They had spent a lot on raising their crop by borrowing from local banks and money lenders.
The calamity has pushed them into distress by damaging their pointed gourd cultivation on their farmlands. They are become clueless as they do not know how to earn a living for their family.
The farmers are yet to come to terms with the loss even as a fortnight has passed the calamity striking the Odisha coast.
Kailash Mallick, a farmer, in Rekhideipur village said he has borrowed Rs 25,000 to buy pointed gourd saplings to cultivate the crop on his land. He had managed to sell only Rs 4000 worth of vegetables when the calamity damaged his crops. He might have earned Rs 60,000-70,000 if the calamity had not taken place.
Sources said these farmers had visited Sundargarh and stayed there for eight days to buy the saplings for their cultivation.
Farmers Kailash Mallick, Dasarathi Rout, Bijay Rout, Gandharba Rout, Jugal Rout, Bula Parida have asked the administration to intervene and provide them compensation for their crop loss.
PNN
