Low pressure-induced rain hits ginger cultivation in Koraput, farmers in distress

Ginger cultivation, which is undertaken in Koraput district on a large scale, has been severely affected by the low pressure-induced torrential rain in the last couple of days. 

Farmers in the district are in distress following the heavy rain as they are staring at huge losses due to the crop loss.

Several farmers of Potangi, Laxmipur, Nandapur, Lamtaput, Koraput, Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon and Dasamantapur blocks in the district have undertaken ginger farming on around 6,000 hectares of land.

The farmers were happy and hopeful of bumper harvest this year. However, they are now in distress that the torrential rain induced by the low pressure over Bay of Bengal has severely affected the cultivation.

With only three months left for yielding, the crops have been affected by pathogenic and non-pathogenic diseases of viral, bacterial, fungal, and nematode origin due to the severe downpour causing production constraints.

Moreover, the farmers have also alleged that they face distress sale of ginger due to non-availability of the market.

“Due to water-logging in the farmlands induced by the heavy rain, the roots of the ginger plants are getting rotten and as a result, the plants are weathering and becoming yellowish gradually. We have to incur huge losses because of it,” said Surendra Masti, a farmer.

“I have invested a lot this year in ginger farming. I was hopeful of a good yield and profit. However, the heavy rain has destroyed everything. I am helpless now,” said Bhima Gouda, another farmer.

Meanwhile, agriculture experts have advised the farmers to take necessary measures to save their crops from the torrential rain.

“We advise the farmers to make proper drainage facilities in their farmlands and spray Copper Oxychloride to save the crops from getting rotten,” said Sudam Charan Biswal, Deputy Director of the District Horticulture Department.