Post News Network
Garadpur, Nov 13: Farmers of drought-hit Garadpur block in Kendrapara district, reeling under a spate of crop losses, were hopeful of turning things around with a good groundnut harvest. However, they now say they are feeling let down by the hands-off attitude of the administration.
The farmers say they are distressed at the lack of any semblance of assistance from the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) and local agricultural officials.
“We’re yet to get government-supplied groundnut seeds despite having already readied the ground for cultivation,” farmers said, adding they are unable to buy seeds at the market price of Rs 80 per kg.
“It is not possible for us to buy seeds at such high prices from the market,” Sunakar Nayak of Kalabuda and Kanhucharan Sahoo of Govindpur said.
According to a report, the agriculture department set a target of cultivating 1,200 hectares of land in the block for groundnut cultivation this season. However, the supply of seeds is yet to commence. Left with no option, many farmers are purchasing seeds from places like Kuakhia of Jajpur district and Laxminarayanpur.
Farmers of Padmapur, Bedari, Nuapada, Pakhada along the river Chitrotpala opted for groundnut cultivation on highlands after harvesting paddy crops. However, they failed to cultivate paddy this year due poor irrigation and a miserable monsoon. Though the farmers were prepared to raise groundnut in advance to salvage some losses, a scarcity of seeds has hit them hard.
The department opens outlets every year at various places including Bedari, Garadpur, Bhagabanpur and Jaipur to supply seeds to the farmers at affordable rates. Besides, seeds are also sold through several cooperative societies. But neither the agriculture department nor the societies have started the sale process this time. The department has been mum over the training of farmers about the conservation and treatment of seeds ahead of the cultivation process.
When contacted, block assistant agriculture officer Soumendra Mohanty said: “We need about 350 quintals of seeds to raise groundnuts in about 1,200 acres of land in this block. However, we received only 150 quintals for the entire district out of which the block has got 50 quintals so far.”
The officer added that the same would be given to the farmers of Padmapur and Bedari panchayat on a priority basis.
Regarding the training of farmers, the officer said the department is yet to get any direction from the government in this regard.
