Bhubaneswar: The growing pest onslaught on paddy crops with pesticides becoming ineffective has left many farmers in parts of Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Khurda districts high and dry.
In Bhograi, farmers are in deep shock as their crops have blighted due to the pest attack. The problem cropped up after unseasonal rain lashed the coastal parts of the state during Diwali and has been growing unchecked since then.
Acres of farmland in Analia, Narasingpur, Balima and Nahara panchayats in Bhograi have been affected. The farmers who have taken loans to raise the crops are a worried lot.
Bhograi assistant agriculture officer Radhagobinda Dey said damage is being assessed.
A report from Champua in Keonjhar said farmers face double jeopardy from elephants and pests in many parts.
Champua agriculture officer Gajenendranath Gochhayat said the crop damage will be assessed and further action will be taken thereupon.
Likewise, paddy in acres of land in Kaptipada block of Mayurbhanj district was damaged by ‘Chakada’ and ‘Matiagundi’ pests.
The crop damage has been reported from Jamabani, Nududiha, Bishola, Kaptipda, Jhinkapada, Badakhaladi, Pedagadi and Pingu. The menace has been spreading to new areas now.
Assistant agriculture officer Parameswar Jena said he has got reports of crop damages from some areas. Agriculture officers have been asked to visit villages and advise farmers to take preventive measures.
A report from Begunia in Khurda district said at least 40 hectares of paddy crops have been affected by pests. The report was based on a five-day survey conducted by agriculture officials.
Around 10,125 hectares of land were cultivated this kharif season in the block. However, unseasonal rains and pest attack have dashed the hopes of farmers who were expecting a bumper harvest.
Even as officials are busy collecting reports, steps to bring the pest attack under control are yet to be taken by the authorities. Locals believed many more farmers might end their lives by the time the survey is finished, if immediate steps were not taken to arrest the situation. PNN