With Odisha staring at a possible drought-like situation in view of the deficient rainfall this monsoon season, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday directed authorities to prepare a ‘contingency crop plan’ for the farmers to mitigate the situation.
The Chief Minister today reviewed the drought-like situation at a high level meeting, held virtually, and directed officials to extend all possible assistance to the farmers.
According to Patnaik, agricultural activities are likely to get affected in view of the deficient rainfall in 213 blocks of the State. He directed the officials in the agriculture department to closely monitor the situation on a daily basis.
Also Read
The Chief Minister also asked the district Collectors to take urgent measures to deal with the situation at the ground-level.
Apart from the contingency crop plan, the State government has also directed authorities to ensure water supply to the canals and maintain coordination in execution of MNREGS programmes.
In case of crop damage, the Chief Minister has asked officials to provide seeds and mini-kits to farmers to carry out the second crop. Similarly, the officials have been asked to provide diesel pump sets to the farmers in the areas where the crops are still protected.
All the defunct lift-irrigation points will be repaired and made functional within seven days. Patnaik has also stressed to focus on employment generation schemes for small and marginal farmers in order to provide livelihood assistance to them.
The water resources department has been asked to take steps for recharging the ground water to provide irrigational facilities to farmers in low-lying regions.