Weak monsoon slashes Odisha’s kharif space by 63 per cent, 228 blocks hit  

Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Deficit rainfall even after three weeks of monsoon onset has forged a darkish shadow on agricultural prospects within the state with kharif space protection shrinking drastically by round 63 per cent (computer) until the second week of July.

With 14 districts experiencing extreme moisture stress situations due to rain shortfall starting from 44 computer to 65 per cent, a meagre 1.759 lakh hectares have been lined underneath kharif cultivation as of July 7 in opposition to 4.781 lakh hectares throughout the identical interval final 12 months. This is 3.02 lakh hectares lower than final 12 months and an astounding 7.576 lakh hectares (81 computer) decrease than in 2021. 

Under the Kharif Campaign 2023, the state authorities has focused to cowl 35 lakh hectares for paddy cultivation whereas 61.80 lakh hectares have been programmed for different Kharif crops. The crop protection report offered by the state authorities to the Centre has revealed that paddy has been sown in just one.089 lakh hectares as in opposition to 3.242 lakh hectares lined by the primary week of July 2022. In 2021, 5.83 lakh hectares have been lined underneath paddy crops throughout this era.

“The situation is grave in 228 out of 314 blocks of the state where the rainfall deficit is up to 59 pc. While 89 blocks are reeling under deficient rainfall of 39-59 per cent, 70 blocks are heading for severe crop damage as rainfall `is more than 59 pc deficient,” mentioned an agronomist of the state Agriculture division.

Kalahandi district, the third largest rice-producing district after Bargarh and Sambalpur, is the worst affected with 10 out of its 13 blocks receiving cumulative rainfall of 123.8 mm from June 1 to July 10 which is 66 computer lower than the regular.

The acutely affected blocks are Lanjigarh, Dharamgarh, Kegaon, Junagah, Madanpur Rampur, Golamunda, Narla, Koksara, Kalampur and Karlamunda, officers mentioned. Kharif operations have been additionally badly hit in Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal and Kendrapara districts with 55 computer poor rainfall. Pattamundai, Derabish, Garadpur, Marsaghai and Mahakalpara blocks of Kendrapara and Raikia, Nuagaon, Phiringia, Baliguda and Chakapada blocks of Kandhamal are heading for enormous crop loss. 

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The different affected districts are Puri and Nabarangpur (54 computer deficit); Ganjam and Rayagada (53 computer) and Khurda (52 computer); Cuttack, Jajpur, Jagatsingpur, Balasore and Balangir with 48 computer much less rainfall.
While the distressed farmers wish to the federal government for some contingency measures, the Agriculture division has not been forthcoming. The division shouldn’t be sharing the crop situation report owing to the concern that it’ll create panic amongst farmers, sources mentioned.

BHUBANESWAR: Deficit rainfall even after three weeks of monsoon onset has forged a darkish shadow on agricultural prospects within the state with kharif space protection shrinking drastically by round 63 per cent (computer) until the second week of July.

With 14 districts experiencing extreme moisture stress situations due to rain shortfall starting from 44 computer to 65 per cent, a meagre 1.759 lakh hectares have been lined underneath kharif cultivation as of July 7 in opposition to 4.781 lakh hectares throughout the identical interval final 12 months. This is 3.02 lakh hectares lower than final 12 months and an astounding 7.576 lakh hectares (81 computer) decrease than in 2021. 

Under the Kharif Campaign 2023, the state authorities has focused to cowl 35 lakh hectares for paddy cultivation whereas 61.80 lakh hectares have been programmed for different Kharif crops. The crop protection report offered by the state authorities to the Centre has revealed that paddy has been sown in just one.089 lakh hectares as in opposition to 3.242 lakh hectares lined by the primary week of July 2022. In 2021, 5.83 lakh hectares have been lined underneath paddy crops throughout this era.googletag.cmd.push(perform() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

“The situation is grave in 228 out of 314 blocks of the state where the rainfall deficit is up to 59 pc. While 89 blocks are reeling under deficient rainfall of 39-59 per cent, 70 blocks are heading for severe crop damage as rainfall `is more than 59 pc deficient,” mentioned an agronomist of the state Agriculture division.

Kalahandi district, the third largest rice-producing district after Bargarh and Sambalpur, is the worst affected with 10 out of its 13 blocks receiving cumulative rainfall of 123.8 mm from June 1 to July 10 which is 66 computer lower than the regular.

The acutely affected blocks are Lanjigarh, Dharamgarh, Kegaon, Junagah, Madanpur Rampur, Golamunda, Narla, Koksara, Kalampur and Karlamunda, officers mentioned. Kharif operations have been additionally badly hit in Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal and Kendrapara districts with 55 computer poor rainfall. Pattamundai, Derabish, Garadpur, Marsaghai and Mahakalpara blocks of Kendrapara and Raikia, Nuagaon, Phiringia, Baliguda and Chakapada blocks of Kandhamal are heading for enormous crop loss. 

ALSO READ | Low stress probably in third week, to finish lengthy dry spell in Odisha

The different affected districts are Puri and Nabarangpur (54 computer deficit); Ganjam and Rayagada (53 computer) and Khurda (52 computer); Cuttack, Jajpur, Jagatsingpur, Balasore and Balangir with 48 computer much less rainfall.
While the distressed farmers wish to the federal government for some contingency measures, the Agriculture division has not been forthcoming. The division shouldn’t be sharing the crop situation report owing to the concern that it’ll create panic amongst farmers, sources mentioned.