Nature's fury hits Kalahandi farmers twice this year

Kalahandi: They blame their fate for the flood and the present drought-like situation which dampened their hopes of getting good yield this year. After their crops were damaged by flood in July-August this year, farmers of the Kalahandi district are now battling with water crisis and pest attack.

They have been experiencing a dry spell with no rainfall in the last couple of months. Besides, crops and lands are drying up in the region due to lack of proper irrigation system.

Farmers are now in stress over the crops loss as it will not be possible for them to repay loans if they do not get government assistance.

Two farmers, Parmananda and Ganesh, of Gambhariguda village under Koksara block in the district recently committed suicide due to alleged crop loss.

"Water crisis has dried up our standing crops. Pest attack has also damaged the crops. Even though we sprayed pesticides, it didn't work. If we can't get any assistance from the government, we will have to migrate to other parts in search of work," lamented a farmer, Kusha Majhi.

Another farmer Sarbiyam Pujari said, "I sprayed the pesticides, advised by the VLW here, for four times but the crops are still pest-infested. It has put my family at stake."

Earlier, farmers had gheraoed Tehsil office demanding drought-prone Tehsil status to Koksara, up to Rs 1 lakh loan waiver, crop insurance and solar borewell for each farmer among others.