The story behind the sudden emergence of pests in a large number of districts in a vast area, damaging the standing crop, has unfolded itself slowly and gradually. But it definitely concerns us all and must make us learn lessons out of it.
According to available reports, the apprehension of a spread-out of “Matiagudi” pests was brought forth with an alarm bell by the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT). Apparently, there was continuous correspondence in this matter. It appears neither the operational authorities of the State Government in the concerned department nor the adversely-affected farmers were alert enough to wake up in time and take curative and remedial measures. Around October 10, the OUAT first rang the warning bell regarding the likelihood of widespread pest attack. Such attack is being commonly attributed to climate change and untimely rain caused by depression in the Bay of Bengal. The OUAT had clearly indicated that the standing Kharif crop might get affected by “Kandabindha”, “Patrapoda”, “Nali”, etc., pests and there was likelihood of the spread of “Mahisa”, which is a disease.
The advisory was that appropriate pesticides be used in advance. Particular pesticides were indicated and the quantum that should be used per acre was also stated in the advisory. It is also revealed that every week, the district agricultural functionaries and their under-pinning formation were also alerted in this regard. The farmers were also alerted in the matter.
But this is not a case that we could accept it as a systemic failure. We should not expect our farmer to be alert enough and equipped enough to take remedial measures on his own. Obviously, our KVKs and other related field formations failed to perform their duties though alerted. It would not be fair to just blame the farmer when he was left to himself and driven to procure some pesticides at a lower price though they were substandard or spurious. lower price is an allurement that an average Odia farmer is likely to fall a prey to. But what is disturbing is the fact that the authorities in the field operation activities were not alert enough to monitor the situation.
It is easy to say that the farmers did not use pesticides as per the advice of the Government or the OUAT or any other agency, but the fact remains that but for guidance and monitoring in a proactive manner by the specialised authorities, the average famer does not have the knowhow and skill in him to decipher technical matters on his own. This is where the failure of linkages takes place.
There is apathy leading to dislocation of communication of information, further leading to improper steps and actions by the farming community, exploitation of the situation by unethical traders and, finally, the disaster of the farming community and the destruction of essential irreplaceable food source.
In another view of the matter, it is a case of human apathy and unconcern coupled with systemic failure. But be that as it may, it is a human failure causing irreparable damages and should not be permitted to repeat itself. The tendency in the Government and bureaucracy is always be satisfied with post-event and the so-called ameliorative measures which are not really concerned with preventive, curative and remedial measures. Had the system been alert enough, it would have responded in a proactive manner.
The pest menace could have been contained and the relief measures would have been rendered less important or redundant. Aerial spray of proper pesticides was never considered. Other feasible remedial steps were not properly evaluated. It is shameful that the pest attack turned into a natural calamity. A soul searching is required introspecting the needs of the day and we have to learn lessons from such suicidal steps that are occasioned by our inactions, insensitivity, lack of alertness and inadequate responsiveness.
We have failed in our duties and cannot get away from the failure by distributing breadcrumbs. There is a disturbing piece of news. The relief measures are likely to be delayed as several district Collectors have been asked to resubmit their reports in a new format. This is bound to cause procedural and bureaucratic delays.
Reportedly, it presently involves eight districts but may extend to other districts very soon. So far, Bargarh, Balangir, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nuapada, Sambalpur and Subarnapur districts have been asked to resubmit their reports in the new format. Alongside, the Relief Commissioner has asked for reports from all district Collectors. It should be ensured that they be in the new format. Adequate relief ought to reach the needy farmers
Another interesting matter of concern for all of us has been the war of nerves amongst some of the Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Odisha. The Agriculture Minister still has reservations regarding the feasibility of giving relief and compensation, etc., to those who burnt their pest-affected crops. Media reports indicate that he has been upset with attempts at isolating him and steamrolling the announcement that those who have burnt their pest-affected crops will also be given the same relief and compensation, etc., as others. This is not a scenario in which moot points are to be won by one against the other. This situation is a matter of concern for all of us as our food source and food bowl are under threat.
The burnt-down pest-affected crops are not beyond estimation by indirect collateral methods though the crop may not be standing to be assessed. Given the area concern, by an average and standard method of per-acre yield, one can arrive at an approximate extent of crop being affected by pests. There may be lack of precision, but there can be a reasonable estimation.
The media reports almost make one feel that the Government has different voices on the same issue. This does not go with the spirit of a Cabinet form of Government. If the object was that those who have burnt their standing pest-affected crops shall also be given relief and compensation, etc., surely ways and means and techniques can be found to cause a reasonable estimation of loss. The entire exercise is of estimation and not precise computation extent of loss.
Reason and relevance must prevail, and we must always drive at a possible solution of the problem than find anything intractable.
This is, of course, limited to the arena of relief, compensation, etc., announced through the policies of the Government and under the Relief Code. It does not deal with the feasibility of having prevented such a disaster, where pests overtook and defeated the abilities of man in science, technology, organised effort and good governance.
It is a matter of concern for all of us that such situations should not be permitted to recur and are prevented from taking their ugly and devastating shape. In the year 2017, 70 years after Independence and 18 years of a dominantly majority Government, we are defeated by pests and our source of food supply is irreparably and irremediably damaged by them. Shame on our youth for keeping silent about the situation! Recurrence of such events is likely to be repeated. Attempts at suicide would hardly vanish. There have to be proactive preventive measures by the Government involving farmers, technocrats and the civil society to ensure prevention of such shameful instances. But for enabling this, there has to be an adequate alertness, responsiveness, sensitivity and, above all, a total involvement and concern. This concern cannot be limited to a section of the society. It has to be all-inclusive and comprehensive.
(The writer, a Senior Advocate, is a former All India Service officer, a former diplomat, a former Eeditor, a former President of Orissa High Court Bar Association and a former Advocate General of Odisha. jayantdas@hotmail.com)