: Gurbaru Jued, a marginal farmer of Mandosil village in Khariar block of Nuapada district, has cultivated paddy in about two acres of land. But continuous dry spell has been a headache for him.
"I sowed seed twelve days ago, but there has been no rain since then. In case of a dry spell of two more days, the plant roots would dry," said a worried Jued.
In the event the dry spell continues further, a big problem is in the store for him. He would have to buy seed again for sowing and the farming process would be delayed by another 15 days.
Jued’s son Radhe has cultivated paddy in about five acres taking land on lease from another farmer. He sowed seed on June 24. Seedlings in the land have germinated well. According to Radhe, the seedlings would not sustain if it does not rain in a day or two. His cotton cultivation in one and a half acres of land has already suffered.
"Half of the seeds sown didn't germinate," he said.
The situation is the same in most parts of Nuapada district. "We learnt from the news that it will rain on July 3, but there is no sign of rain till today," said Radhe.
Farmers are not sure whether the Lower Indra Irrigation Department would release water in the canal at this stage.
According to Jued, the rainfall will be very erratic this year. "The Panji says the rainfall will be erratic. There has been rain for 100 days this year with heavy rainfall and dry spell in between," he said, adding, "Such a pattern is detrimental for agriculture."
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States’ report stated that the southwest monsoon season would be delayed and shortened with a skewed distribution of rainfall among various regions. According to the report, there was more than an 80 percent chance of the development of an El Niño effect in the equatorial Pacific Ocean in the May-June-July period. "It is generally associated with less intense rainfall than normal during the monsoon season in India. Delayed onset and drought conditions have also been observed during El Nino years," states the report.
There is a clear similarity between the statement of Jued and the scientific report. Jued blames the administration for not providing irrigation water in time. "It very often happens every few years. Sarkar (Government) should remain alert to such situations and ensure irrigation is provided in times of stress, otherwise agriculture is bound to suffer," said Jued.