Sambalpur: Delayed monsoon coupled with erratic rainfall has adversely affected pulses production in this district during this kharif season leaving scores of farmers in the lurch, a report said.
According to official sources, the agriculture department had set a target for cultivation of black gram, green gram, horse gram and arhar respectively in 14,500 hectare, 17,600 hectare, 800 hectare and 3,200 hectare of land in Dhanakauda, Maneswar, Jujumura, Redhakhol, Naktideula, Jamankira, Kuchinda and Bamra blocks of the district.
But the farmers, despite their untiring efforts, failed to achieve the targets due to pest attack on the crops and the erratic rainfall. Black gram was harvested from 13,652 hectare, green gram from 17,356 hectare, horse gram from 763 hectare and arhar from 2,765 hectare, it was learnt.
The farmers were found clueless about the crop loss since they had strictly followed the advice of the department while applying fertilizer, compost and pesticide.
When asked about the reason behind the poor harvest, some farmers put the blame on the department saying the officials didn’t make field visits in time to monitor the situation.
Though trained personnel have been appointed by the agriculture department in every panchayat and block to sort out the problems of farmers, the officials hardly offer their inputs to the farmers, it was learnt. This has affected the production, the farmers alleged.
Meanwhile, the department, during the forthcoming rabi season, aims to raise crops in 8,568 hectare, 3,764 hectare and 3,195 hectare of land in Sambalpur, Rairakhol and
Kuchinda divisions respectively. However, the farmers apprehend poor harvest due to inconsistent rain in this season also.
Several farmers’ outfits have demanded adequate measures before the beginning of the season. PNN