Korukonda: While recent rains have raised farmers’ hope of a bumper harvest, sudden pest attack on paddy crop has dashed all their expectations.
Crops in hundreds of hectares of land in several villages under this block in Malkangiri district have been hit by Matiagundi, a kind of insect that sticks to the root and stem of a paddy plant. The pest devours the green paddy shoots.
The farmers of Korukonda, Kamwada, Mariwada and Tarlakota panchayats are worst hit by the pest menace. Adding to their woes is the absence of agriculture department officials.
“We are disappointed with the attitude of the officials. No agriculture expert has turned up to bail us out of the situation,” said many paddy growers including Kumulu Hantal of Koilipari village and Era Madkami of Sindhiguda village.
The reaction of the agriculture department officials on the issue couldn’t be ascertained.
Meanwhile, the damaged crops have left the farmers in the lurch as they have to repay the farm loans they have taken from various sources. Farmers have demanded immediate solution to the problems created by the pests.
Malkangiri district has received sufficient rainfall in the last few days. But the nature’s blessing appears to have been ravaged by the pest. Now, the farmers are a crestfallen lot. PNN
