Cuttack farmers’ yield hopes ruined as unknown disease affects crops

Cuttack: Farmers of Salepur, Mahanga and Nischintakoili blocks in the district are in a state of despair as their crops are affected by an unknown disease, posing a threat to their hope of a good yield of paddy this season.

The farmers alleged that they have been spraying all the available medicines on their paddy fields to protect the crop but it has failed to yield results.

As per reports, hundreds of hectares of paddy field are affected due to an unknown pest which is ruining the roots of the plants.

"We are on the verge of huge loss due to the pests. The roots of the crops are getting infected. We are using all types of medicines but no effect has been seen yet," said a farmer.

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Meanwhile, the district agriculture officer, Salepur, Mohan Sharma said that the department does not have any medicine for this disease. Besides, he added that they do not have any subsidised medicines and pesticides.

"However, our village level workers are presently conducting 'e-Pest Surveillance'. We will take necessary measures to save the farmers' paddy plants after going through the details of the report," said Sharma.

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