Balangir faces farm crisis

BALANGIR: People of Balangir are going to face the worst-ever drought with the district registering 91 per cent deficit rainfall in five blocks. The continuous dry spell has cast a shadow not only on the migrants but also on the big and medium farmers, who too are likely to migrate this year. As per official records, five blocks of the district- Muribahal, Belpada, Bangomunda, Turekela and Khaprakhol- have recorded 91 per cent deficit rainfall leading to wilting of crops on a large-scale. What has affected the farmers more is the damage of seeds for the second time in the season.  Bhubana Bhoi, a farmer of Chhuinara of Belpada block, said that he never experienced such a dry spell during sowing time. “I have already sown twice and all the seeds were damaged. Not a single seed  germinated,” said Bhoi. Under these circumstances, sources said farmers are reported to have contacted labour agents to migrate. A recent preliminary report, released by Western Orissa Migration Network (WOMN), stated that there might be 30 per cent  increase in migration this year. Adding to the dry spell and subsequent seed damage, is the lack of NREGS jobs to ensure 100 days of employment to the people.Not only paddy but even cotton crops have been damaged in these areas. Agriculture Director RS Gopalan said the department had a contingency plan in the event of large-scale crop loss. “We have planned more lift irrigation points and pump sets to all farmers,” said Gopalan.In Balangir district, the average deficit rainfall recorded in June and July is 48 per cent. Except two blocks - Agalpur and Gudvela - all the blocks have recorded abnormally low rainfall. “In the last 50 years, the district had an average rainfall of 360 mm in June and July, but this year it is only 199 mm. The rain, especially in migration-prone areas, has been sporadic and localised, insufficient even for seed to sprout,” said Manoranjan Mallik, Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA). He said if the rainfall does not increase in the next 10 days, the district will face an acute drought.