Farmers in Jharsuguda district are a worried lot. Having braved a drought last year, there seems no respite for them as rains continue to elude the district so far this year. Paddy growers are particularly badly hit as normal rains in May had led these farmers to begin cultivation but June turned out to be completely disappointing.
The Meteorological department, however, expects normal rain this year by the second week of July. The Agricultural department sources said that around 105 mm rain has been recorded in May against the normal 27.9 mm. But, due to 65 per cent less rain in June this year, the farmers have lost all hopes. On the other hand, the State Government is claiming to invest crores towards irrigation of the land in the district. At this point, irrigation facility is available for only 16,827 hectares out of the 82,130 hectares cultivable land in the district.
Sources said in the district, irrigation is currently provided to 5,073 hectares land through minor irrigation projects, 2,586 hectares through lift Irrigation Corporation (OlIC), 198 hectares through lift Irrigation Project (OAIC), 58 hectares through lift Irrigation Jal Nidhi Scheme, 3,160 hectares through dug well, 2,156 hectares through borewell and 3,600 hectares through other sources of water. On the other hand, the State Government’s pledge of irrigating 70 per cent cultivated land has not been realised on the ground.
Against a total land 82,130 hectares in Jharsuguda district, 16,827 hectares or less than 20 per cent land is currently being irrigated. In such a situation, less rain than expected has brought a double whammy for the farmers.
District Agriculture Officer N Maheswar Rao acknowledged that there is rain deficit in the district but said that farmers shouldn’t lose hope as there are another two weeks to go. He also added that Pradhan Mantri Crop Insurance Scheme will come to their rescue in case the rain projections turn out to be incorrect.
Farmer leader Anant Panda said that the district received below normal level rainfall during the month of June this year and if normal rain is not there in the coming three to four days, the farmers will certainly bear irreparable losses.