Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy conducted an on-the-spot study on the damage of Rabi crops in undivided Kalahandi district on Sunday.
Following the reports of damage to standing Rabi crop, the Minister on Friday asserted that the farmers of undivided Kalahandi district were the worst sufferer as onion crops in thousands of hectares have been destroyed.
Besides, Maharathy visited the Kalimati village under the Komna block in Nuapada district and took stock of the damaged onion and tomato crops. “The farmers have incurred heavy losses due to the damage and they will be compensated. The district will be provided fund to the extent of Rs1 crore under the NRHM for construction of a 25 million tonne capacity godown in Nuapada,” said Maharathy, adding that the Horticulture department will supply onion seeds free of cost to the farmers and make provision for its marketing.
The Minister was accompanied by Agriculture Director Santh Gopalan, Horticulture Director Sanjiv Chadha. Nuapada MlA Basanta Panda, district BJD President Prasanna Padhy, District Collector Jaykumar V and district Agriculture and Horticulture Departments heads accompanied the Minister in the field visit.