Odishatv Bureau
Bhubaneswar: After untimely rain that caused huge loss to the farmers, intense cold wave across the state has shattered the hopes of Rabi farmers. In view of this, state government would provide the Rabi farmers with as many as 3 lakh pulse kits, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout informed on Thursday.

The decision of the government would provide some succor to the farmers.

“The intense cold wave has affected the Rabi crops in the state adversely, yet we have to tackle the situation. Hence, the agriculture department will provide the farmers with 3 lakh pulse kits worth Rs 630 each for free,” State Agriculture Minister Dr Damodar Rout informed.

The severe cold wave has affected the Rabi crops including the peanut, chilly and brinjal plants. The peanut plants are supposed to bear flowers and fruits, but the cold wave has marred its growth thereby making the plants nerveless and frail.

“The cold wave in the state this year has affected our crops badly. The peanut plants that are supposed to grow up to a height of 30 cm have not even borne flowers and fruits yet,” farmer of Sardeipur area Shankar Sahu said.

As per experts, it has been more than 45 days that the farmers have raised the paddy saplings of Kharif crops and the moong saplings as well. But the cold wave is affecting badly.

“These saplings have been raised and would be harvested in the months of April and May when the atmospheric temperature is high. But the crops have been hit badly by the snow fall,” Agriculture and Forecast Expert Surendranath Palaka said.

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