Distressed Odisha farmers continue to set crops on fire

Bhubaneswar: As if their litany of woes was not enough, farmers in Odisha are now grappling with the pest-menace which is forcing them to set their standing crops on fire in agitation seeking immediate assistance from the State government.

After farmers from Sambalpur and Bargarh districts set their crops afire earlier this week, a farmer of Gajilguda village near Gunupur in Rayagada district today set damaged crops in his eight acre land on fire. Similarly, farmers of Limakudia under Ganjam district too set their pest-infested crops on fire today.

The series of protests by farmers follows the death of farmer Brunda Sahu of Kalapani in Bargarh who allegedly committed suicide on Wednesday after torching his standing crops which were damaged by pests.

It was the third such death of a farmer over crop failure in the district in a span of seven days.

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Meanwhile, following Brunda’s death, the State government sent a technical team to study the cause of crop damage and directed the district authorities to submit a report on the incident within 48 hours.

Further, a three-member technical team of the Agriculture Department today raided a pesticide shop in Bargarh town as farmers complained that the pesticide they bought from the market or the ones supplied to them by the Cooperation Department were of inferior quality.

Odisha Agriculture Secretary Sourav Garg today said that the Collectors of eight districts reeling under pest menace have been asked to submit a report within two days.

“The Collectors along with the Revenue and Agriculture department officials have been directed to conduct a joint survey in the pest-affected areas following which the government will disburse compensation to the farmers under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF),” said Garg.

“We have also set up a Kishan Call Centre with Toll Free No. 18001801551. Farmers can share their agriculture-related problems with the specialist officers by dialling the number, everyday from 6 am to 5 pm,” he added.

Also Read: Odisha govt seeks report on damage of crops due to pest attack

On the other hand, Union Minister Jual Oram today launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJD government and said, “It’s unfortunate that the BJD government is not extending enough support to farmers. The government’s works are limited to promises and claims, pen and papers. Farmers had been complaining of low quality pesticides since last three months but the government didn’t pay heed. In despair, the farmers are setting their crops on fire.”

However, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout said that a 3-member team and also the Bargarh district Collector will submit their reports today.

“In a high level meeting under chairmanship of the Chief Minister, the reports will be scrutinised and compensation will be announced for the farmers at the earliest,” said Rout.

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