In wake of the Regional Office of the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) here forecasting that a low pressure created in the Bay of Bengal is likely to trigger rains in different parts of the State, the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) on Sunday issued an advisory for the farmers.
The IMD predicated that rains would lash nearly 17 districts from November 13 to 18, particularly the southern and coastal region. This has compounded the miseries of farmers, who are still reeling under the impact of huge crop loss due to pest attacks.
The possibility of rains has made the farmers jittery about the remaining crops which are yet to be harvested and brought to the barns. In some parts of the State, the cultivators have resorted to hasty crop cutting to save it from being damaged by rains.
However, the OUAT Agro-Meteorology Department said the farmers should not panic and should remove the crops after cutting from the farmland and store it in a safe place. Besides, in case the crops are not rife, they should mix salt in water and sprinkle it on the crop so that it is not damaged. They should also ensure that there is adequate drainage of water from the croplands.
The farmers were urged to go through the websites of the OUAT and the State Agriculture Department for detailed information.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department has asked the District Collectors to ensure that the advisory is implemented in their districts.