Rupsa/Baripada: As a drizzle under the influence of the low pressure continued for the second day Saturday, hopes of farmers for paddy harvests died down in some parts of Rupsa block in Balasore and some pockets in Mayurbhanj district. Farmers carrying rain-soaked paddy were seen everywhere.
The farmers in Balasore and Basta blocks have to face a tough time while harvesting rain-soaked paddy. In such chilly and inclement weathers, wet paddy has no chance of drying out. Paddy bundles are left in the farmland while standing paddy crops is soaking in the rains. If it is not harvested, it will sprout soon.
In view of this, famers have intensified efforts to save their crops in Rupsa, Anke, Kasipada, Haladipada, Kuradiha, Raisuan, Bahabalpur, Chhnua, Rasalpur, Srirampur panchayats under Rupsa block, Gadapada, Raoutapada, Mathani, Barda, Tadda, Sadanandapur and Mukulusi panchayats.
In November, rains had destroyed paddy. They famers made all-out efforts to save the crop while the current spell of rain dealt a further blow to farmers.
40 per cent of the crop is yet to be harvested. In some areas, agriculture officials have assessed the crop damage for two days.
“Unseasonal rains in November damaged paddy to some extent while this rain washed our last hopes,” lamented Prafulla Kumar das, a farmer of Routapada panchayat.
Agriculture officer-in-charge of Basta block, Jajnadatt Sethi said after rain is over the department will take steps to assess the crop damage.
A report from Bahalda in Mayurbhanj said ripe paddy has soaked in scores of villages. Paddy in acres of land was damaged in the rain at Badaopalasa, Bagedihi, Badepataka, Kendua, Olidihai, Burupalsa, Tupaghutu, Segeghutu, Jharadihui, Badakedam, Pokharia, Kuladiha, Rangamatia, Suruda, Anlajodi, Bahalda, Kanki, Basing and Gidighati.
The administration has not completed crop damage assessment as yet while rain has dealt a blow to farmers. Many farmers were found drying out rain-soaked paddy on the road. PNN
