Pest menace: Farmers continue to attempt suicide over crop loss in Odisha

Bolangir: Even as the Centre and the State face off over farmers’ issues pertaining to crop loss and pest menace, farmer suicide attempts meanwhile refuse to die down with two more incidents reported from Bolangir and Mayurbhanj on Sunday.

According to information, a farmer of Semilia village under Sadar block of Bolangir district on Sunday attempted suicide by consuming poison on his farmland. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital by his family members. Crop loss has been alleged to be the main reason behind his extreme step.

Similarly, in Mayurbhanj district, another farmer took this extreme step by drinking pesticide on his field. Sources said, the victim, Maheswar Nayak, a resident of Pingu village under Kaptipada block had mentally broken down over loss of his harvest due to pest attack and reportedly took to attempt suicide. His family members immediately admitted to Udala hospital and his health condition is stated to be stable.

Meanwhile, a central expert team led by Union Agriculture Minister of State Gajendra Sekhawat will look pest menace and crop loss situation in Bargarh today. On Sunday, the team visited Sonepur and took stock of farmers' issues. On the other hand the central team's visit has not gone down well with the ruling BJD with senior party leader and Agriculture minister Damodar Rout coming down heavily on the Centre for interfering in the matters of the state without invitation.