Standing paddy crop in several places of Chhattisgarh has been damaged following a spell of heavy rain during last few days.
Farmers are also facing a new challenge of curbing pest menace.
The short-duration paddy variety like 1010, Mahamaya have been worst hit by the rains, while experts hope the farmers who have grown long-duration paddy crop may not be affected much.
Farmers said this year they are unlikely to get desirable benefits not only because of the latest rain, also due to pest attack.
Insect are destroying paddy crops in several areas adding more trouble for the farmers already battling to save their crops from the rains, they said.
Some farmers said they are using pesticides to curb the pest menace, but that was not working. Some alleged they are not able to use the costly pesticides. The insects which are damaging the crops are locally named as Maho, and Blast, they said.
Agriculture department deputy director R K Chandravanshi said the latest spell of rains may play spoilsport in some places, but unlikely to affect large areas. He expressed confidence that the rain will not have much impact and the yield this year would be good.
He also advised the farmers to monitor their crops regularly and seek the help of local agriculture department officials as and when required.