Even as the State has recorded 32 per cent rainfall this year, a specter of drought looms large over as many as ten districts.
The latest crop weather condition report reveals that by August 17, less than 32 per cent rainfall has been recorded in the State and moisture stress conditions have been noticed in Balangir, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri districts.
At least 117 blocks have received deficient rainfall from June 1 to August 17, reveals the status report on rainfall. However, worst situation has been recorded in 29 blocks, which have experienced severe deficit of rainfall, which is less than 39-59 per cent.
According to experts, if there are no rains by next week, the situation will turn serious and drought conditions may prevail in these districts. The Weather Watch Group, headed by Principal Secretary Agriculture Rajesh Verma met on August 17 to take stock of the situation to chart out a strategy to face the situation.
It is reported that with stressful conditions prevailing in the rain deficit areas, cultivation of Kharif crop has been adversely affected.
Official sources said the coverage of various crops during Kharif was 61.65 lakh hectares, whereas by mid August, the coverage reduced to 45.28 lakh hectares. Though paddy coverage was recorded on 35 lakh hectares of land during Kharif season, till August 15, it was reduced to 28.14 lakh hectares.
“During the corresponding period of 2014, paddy coverage was 31.46 lakh hectares,” informed a senior official in the Department of Agriculture.
While rainfall has been deficient, availability of fertilizer too has been affected due to less allocation by the Centre, said official sources.
It was expected that during Kharif season, the State will receive 10.25 lakh tonne fertilizers. However till date it has received only 5.18 lakh tonne. Similarly, urea supply has been low as it was expected to receive 5.25 lakh tonne, where as the receipt is 2.73 lakh tonne.
The State Government has been continuously bringing the matter to the attention of the Union Government in this regard; however the situation has not improved, admit officials.
Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had met Union Minister Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh in New Delhi and written letters to Union Minister Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar.
Similarly, Chief Secretary GC Pati had written a letter to Union Secretary, Fertilizers Anuj Kumar Bishnoi in this regard, while Principal Secretary Agriculture Rajesh Verma had met Bishnoi to allow the required amount of fertilizers to the State.