Vegetables and banana crops in over 1088 acres of land in three blocks of Panposh sub-division under Nuagaon block have been damaged due to unseasonal rain, hailstorm and strong wind, six days back.

Standing vegetable crops like tomato, ladyfinger, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, bitter gourd, onion, garlic and brinjal were damaged.

On March 27, rain and winds had battered Nuagaon block damaging crops in five gram panchayats. Seeking compensation, the affected farmers visited the block office and Birmitrapur tehsil office on Monday and Tuesday respectively.District Agriculture Officer (DAO), Panposh, AK Mangal said as per preliminary report, vegetable crops in about 870 acres in 20 villages of Sorda, Barilepta, Urmei, Chitapedi and Bagdega gram panchayats in Nuagaon block were damaged.

Besides, nine villages of Jareikela, Badbambua and Theteiposh gram panchayats in Bisra block reported vegetable crops damage in 165 acres of land and banana crops in 15 acres. The DAO said four villages of Jharbera gram panchayat in Kuanrmunda block also reported loss of vegetable crops in 38 acres.

“A joint verification by revenue and agriculture officials would be conducted within a week to seek compensation from the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF),” he said. However, farmers are apprehensive of getting CRF compensation due to technical ‘flaws’. As per CRF norms, if a village unit reports crop loss on above 50 per cent areas then all farmers of the village are entitled to compensation.

If a village unit reports crop loss in less than 50 per cent area then both affected and unaffected farmers would be denied compensation.

Deputy Director of Horticulture, Basudev Sahu said farmers of Subdega block of Sundargarh Sadar sub-division in the district also complained of damage to vegetable crops and a joint verification would be conducted.

Source - http://www.newindianexpress.com/