Bumper crop in Paradip

PARADIP: Incesant rains in the last three days has come as a welcome change for the farmers, in Jagatsinghpur district, hard pressed for seeds, fetilisers and burdened by rental hike of power tiller and tractor. To achieve the target set by the Agriculture Department for cultivation of 86,992 hectares, transplanting and direct sowing of seeds have to be completed by August 15.

Scanty rainfall in June and July had raised serious doubts among farmers looking forward to a bumper crop this year. Sources said June recorded only 120 mm rainfall as against the normal 202 mm. As a result, direct sowing could be done on 7,210 hectares, while the department had targeted to cover 27,000 ha. Transplantation too could be taken up on only 10 to 15 per cent of the total area marked for the purpose.

The department was hopeful of good showers in August. The delay, however, can also be attributed to shortage of seeds. Though the requirement was 8,000 quintal, the department could supply only 5,773 quintal.

The farmers made up for the shortage by purchasing seeds from black market.

It’s the same story as far as availability of fertiliser is concerned. However, upbeat over the recent rains, the farmers have started paddy cultivation. The only impediment though is the hike in the rent of power tiller and tractor used for ploughing. The rent for power tiller has gone up from Rs 4 per minute to Rs 7.

They want the government to fix the rate of tractor and power tiller on the lines of bus and auto fares.