Rojalin Mishra

Kandhamal:  Though Kandhamal turmeric commands strong demand not only in the State but also internationally, the cultivators are having a distressing time as unpredictable climatic conditions are denting productivity while government assistance is hard to come by.

Though the farmers of Dunguripali village under G.Udayagiri block are busy preparing for cultivation, due to uneven rainfall they are apprehending lower harvest in the current season. Moreover, they alleged that they are not getting any assistance from the government which is making it harder for them to sustain in such tough times.

"Due to continuous rain this year farmlands are quite wet and we are not expecting good productivity.  Besides, lack of government assistance is affecting us," said a turmeric farmer Aswini Kumar Pradhan.

"If government provides assistance it will be helpful and we can pay our dues," said another farmer Renuka Pradhan.

On the other hand, deputy director of Agriculture department, Kandhamal, Manoj Kumar Das informed that turmeric has been cultivated in 13500 hectare land and this year's production will be around 26000 metric tons.

"Every year it's not possible to provide good quality fertilizers to all the farmers. Hence, on rotation we select farmers every year and provide assistance to them. We ensure that all farmers are benefitted in this process" said Das.

 

scrollToTop