Agricultural operations, especially paddy cultivation process, in Balangir district has virtually come to a grinding halt, thanks to inadequate monsoon rainfall received in the month of July this year.
Although Balangir district received less rainfall in the month of June, famers were expecting a good rainfall in July to compensate the shortfall, so that crucial agricultural operations of paddy like transplanting, beushining and other activities can be taken up smoothly.
However, their expectation was belied. Against an average rainfall of 360 mm in July in the district, it has received 304 mm in an irregular way, affecting the transplantation of paddy.
Paddy is cultivated in two ways in the district. A farmer directly sows the seed by broadcasting it and as seed sprouts, the field is ploughed. In another popular process, the paddy seedling is raised in a nursery bed and then it is transplanted in paddy field after 21days which requires a lot of water in the paddy field.
“Meanwhile, paddy seedlings have grown old and are in the nursery bed. In the absence of adequate rainfall, we cannot take transplantation of paddy. Even if these old paddy seedlings are used, it would give a poor yield. Moreover, there have been reports of moisture stress in paddy field. Unless there is rainfall within 10 days, crop situation is heading for a grim situation,” said a farmer here.
Balangir district Collector Chanchal Rana visited parts of Balangir Block on Saturday. "There are a few water stressed locations in Balangir block. Better rains in the next three weeks are critical for transplanting and application of fertilisers. All lift irrigation points and deep bore points are being made functional and farmers have been urged to share water efficiently. Also, farmers were advised not to go for highland paddy," said Rana to this correspondent.