Odisha farmers stare at possible drought as 28 districts witness deficit rainfall

With at least 28 districts of Odisha experiencing below-normal rainfall in the current monsoon season, farmers across the State are worried as they are facing a drought threat.

Due to the rainfall deficit, paddy cultivation is yet to begin in around 40 percent of farmland across the State. Meanwhile, making matters worse, paddy saplings have withered to a yellowish hue amid a lack of rainfall.

However, as per the government, the drought situation has not yet arrived and proper steps will be taken at the right time. Moreover, agriculture experts have advised the farmers to cultivate short-duration varieties of paddy to cope with the rainfall deficit.

Normally, during this period in the monsoon season, Odisha experiences good precipitation and paddy cultivation work is at its peak. However, the current situation of rain scarcity has left the farmers frustrated. With the looming uncertainty over rain, they are staring at a bleak future.

Take the case of Bhojapur area under Jamankira block in Sambalpur district. Rain has eluded the farmers here for the last 15 days. Almost all the paddy saplings prepared by the farmers have withered due to lack of water and scorching heat. 
The situation is no different in Koida block of Sundargarh district. Most of the farmlands wear a barren look due to delay in cultivation work. Famers of as many as 15 Gram Panchayats under the block are staring at a possible drought. Not only these two districts, but farmers in Nuapada and Bargarh are also facing a similar kind of situation.

“After the first monsoon rain, we borrowed money to buy paddy seeds and prepare saplings. However, those saplings have dried up due to a lack of rain and the prevailing heat wave condition. We are helpless now. We are clueless about how to get new saplings again and start transplantation work when rainfall arrives,” said Santosh Thakur, a farmer.

“The paddy cultivation work has gone haywire and delayed due to severe scarcity of rain. With no certainty over rainfall in coming days, we are utterly helpless and staring at a bleak future,” said Dasaraha Bhue, another farmer.

As per the department of Agricultural Meteorology in the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Odisha experienced 221 mm of rainfall between June 1 and July 10, which is 32.2 percent lower than the normal rainfall. Apart from Deogarh and Rayagada, other 28 districts in the State have witnessed deficit rainfall. As many as eight districts have experienced 50 percent less rainfall than the normal level. While Kalahandi has witnessed 66 percent less rainfall, 

Mayurbhanj has experienced 56 percent less rainfall. Similarly, Kendrapara has witnessed 55 percent lower rainfall. Nabarangpur and Puri have registered a rainfall deficit of 54 percent each during the period.

Considering the current situation, experts have advised the farmers to cultivate short-duration varieties of paddy.

“As cultivation work is yet to start due to a lack of rain, farmers should grow short-duration varieties of paddy. It will help them get good production within a short span of time,” said agriculture expert, Professor Tushar Mohanty.

As per the department of Agricultural Meteorology in OUAT, the lack of rain has affected agricultural activities with only 6.25 lakh hectare of farmland under paddy cultivation as compared to an average of nine lakh hectares during the same period historically.

Though the Director of Agriculture department, Prem Chandra Chaudhary admitted that the scarcity of rainfall due to the delayed monsoon has affected agriculture in the State, he stated that the situation is not alarming yet.

“Agriculture work will start again when it rains within the next couple of weeks. Hopefully, farmers have prepared paddy saplings in nurseries and the transplantation work will be done in full throttle once it rains,” said Chaudhary.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena stated that a drought-like situation has not yet arrived in the State.

“Due to the scarcity of rain, cultivation work has not yet started in the State as per expectations. However, drought-like situation has not arrived yet. The government is keeping track of the situation. Proper steps will be taken at the right time as per the requirement,” said Jena.