Krushnaprasad: The Nor’wester storm and rain this season caused havoc in this area in Puri district, largely damaging several acres of groundnut and other crops.
The harvested crops laid in the open were submerged in rain water. Though they have been taken out of the water and laid again to dry, they have turned blackish, making them unfit for sale or consumption.
The loss has left the farmers in deep distress. They had invested lakhs in raising the crops. The invested money had been taken from money lenders or from banks. The farmers are now left with no option for repayment. Worst, the last year’s groundnut stocks are still lying with the farmers as the government failed to procure them.
With the farmers suffering loss for two years at a stretch, they are in no mood to continue with cultivation. They have sought immediate government help. “If the government does not help us, we may commit suicide or go over to other states as migrant workers,” they said.
President of the block sarpanches association, Kalpana Dalei, adviser Rabindranath Das, vice president Sanjulata Jena and secretary Ramesh Chandra Mohapatra pleaded for a proper assessment of the crop loss and grant of compensation to the farmers without any delay.