The Gajapati District Farmers’ Association submitted a memorandum to the district Collector and Paralakhemundi police over crop damage by cattle. More than 100 farmers joined in the rally.
Association president Surjya Narayan Patnaik said nearly 2,000 acres land is cultivated in the Paralakhemundi area every year but due to grazing by cattle, crops worth nearly Rs 30 lakh are damaged.
Notably 10 years back, there were shelters for confining the cows, buffaloes and animals that were straying into the farm land and damaging the crops. They were run by the Paralakhemundi Municipality. The owners of the animals used to deposit fine for release the animals.
The farmers’ body said that due to the provision, the owners of the animals were conscious and careful about not letting their domestic animals stray into farm land. But these days, they are hardly worried.
The farmers warned of launching a stir very soon if steps are not taken to protect standing crops from animals.
Rajeswar Pradhan, PitambaraPradhan and Madhava Pradhan among others were present.