The unseasonal rain has washed away the hopes of farmers in the coastal district of Kendrapara who were expecting a bumper kharif crop. Heavy rain lashed the district last week damaging paddy and seasonal vegetables crops. The unseasonal rain also damaged vegetable crop  on several acr es of land besides pulses in many parts of the district. Crop damage has been reported in several villages of Aul, Mahakalapada, Rajnagar, Marsaghai and Garadapur blocks. Secretary, District Krushak Sabha, Gayadhar Dhal demanded a survey to assess the crop damage  and compensation for affected farmers. A farmer of Bharatpur village Manoj Sahoo said, “I had harvested paddy in two acres of land last week but due to unavailability of workers, I could not harvest paddy in rest two acres which got damaged in the rain.” The unseasonal rain also severely damaged green gram, black gram and vegetable crops on large tracts of land. Each year, farmers of these areas face crop loss either due to flood, deficit or unseasonal rain. But, the district administration pays only lip services to the problems of farmers, alleged Prafulla Nayak, a farmer of Pattamundai. Meanwhile, betel growers of the district and its nearby areas are facing hard times due to the indifferent attitude of the district administration and non-implementation of various schemes meant for them. Brajakishore Das, a betel grower of Kanika, said betel leaves in many farms have been ruined by the rain. Lakhs of betel vines are scattered on the ground due to wind, he added. Deputy Director of Agriculture, Kendrapara, Prafulla Chandra Mishra said farmers who lost their crops due to unseasonal rain will get assistance from Agricultural Department. Source - http://www.newindianexpress.com