Farmers of Gajapati district are a worried lot for the quantity of their produce as they had started agriculture works a bit late following scarcity in rainwater. The district received 25 per cent less rain as of August.
Many farmers are still debt-ridden and having harrowing time as they are yet to get compensation from the State Government for their crop loss during the Phailin and Hudhud cyclones. And expecting a good cultivation this year, the farmers again purchased seeds and fertilisers by taking loans from banks and private moneylenders.
In the absence of adequate rain, the hapless farmers are forced to irrigate their lands by fetching water from low-lying areas with the help of pump sets and tractors and bullock-carts.
“So far, no agriculture work has been carried out in more than 25 per cent of farmland in Kashinagar and Gosani blocks. There is a possibility of drought if no rains occur in near future,” said a farmer.
On being asked, district agriculture scientist Dr Ures Kumar said cultivation would not be affected due to delay in agriculture activities by the farmers.