Despair of pest menace forces farmer to torch cropland

Bargarh: In an extreme step of despondency, Brunda Sahu, a villager of Kalapani in Bargarh district, torched half acre of his cultivated land, unable to bear the brown plant hopper (BPH) attack that damaged his maize crops to a large extent.

According to sources, almost half acre of the cropland cultivated by Sahu was affected by brown plant hoppers. Though he had urged the administration to take necessary steps to control the pest menace, no action was reportedly taken.

Apprehending further crop loss, Sahu torched the BPH-affected crops in his farmland.

Asked, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout said, "Government has no such intention to trouble the farmers. After some incidents were reported in the area, the Deputy Director was asked to submit a report, which he hasn't done yet. Today I had a meeting with the Principal Secretary. I have asked him to send an expert team to visit the affected areas and submit a report within a day or two."

"Also as per the Padmapur MLA, the chemicals and pesticides that are being provided to the farmers are not the medicines to kill the brown plant hoppers. Stringent action will be taken against whoever is found responsible," added Rout.

While the state government has been initiating measures to tackle the issues of farmers, lack of implementation has become a major cause of concern for most in the community. Recently in Bargarh district, two farmers had committed suicide within a span of six days allegedly due to crop damage and drought issues.