Bantala: Wastes and toxic fumes released by industrial units operating in Angul district have adversely affected the farm sector with lemon farmers being the worst hit, a report said.
The toxic emissions have not only raised the level of air pollution, but also have their negative impact on crops and plantations, some lemon growers said.
Though the issue has been raised with the horticulture and agriculture departments, it has fallen on deaf ears, alleged some lemon farmers of Angul block who have been suffering severe losses for the past couple of years.
Though trees bear flowers and fruits, these turn grey and rot in the orchards, the farmers said, adding the indifferent attitude of the horticulture department officials adds to their woes.
Kumud Chandra Pradhan, a successful farmer of Pokatunga, has over 1,100 lemon trees in a seven-acre orchard.
Earlier, he used to earn about Rs 8 lakh a year from lemon farming. But, the toxic gas released by a nearby industrial unit has damaged his crop, observed Kumud.
Traders don’t even touch these lemons as they look so unappealing and his earning has come down to less than Rs 2 lakh per annum, the farmer lamented.
The officials only hold meetings twice a year in the name of promoting horticulture in the block, he alleged.
Pratap Pradhan and Pramod Pradhan, farmers of Hidasing village, who have raised over 3,500 lemon trees over 16 acre of land also blamed industrial units for their miserable harvest.
Despite bumper crop this season, they cannot earn more Rs 100 from a tree, the duo claimed.
Some other farmers including Satuk Pradhan, Binod Pradhan, Govind Pradhan, Bibek Pradhan and Bibhuti Pradhan demanded a visit by a team of experts to the region to sort out their problems.
Deputy director of horticulture, Narendra Kumar Sahoo, said farmers have not brought these issues to the department’s notice. The disease can be cured with the application of medicines and cleaning of the base of the trees, he added.
This apart, the farmers can get a subsidy of Rs 4,500 by submitting their bills and land patta, Sahoo said. PNN
