Dhama: Scores of farmers in Maneswar block of Sambalpur district are in distress with brown plant hopper (BPH), locally known as ‘chakada poka’, damaging crops over hundreds of acres of cultivated land, a report said.
The pests have started gnawing at matured paddy shoots when the farmers are about to harvest, the farmers said, adding, application of pesticide has failed to work on the insects.
The farmers of Putiapali, Baunsenmura and Chakuli villages under Sahaspur panchayat have suffered crop loss in over 350 acres of farm land, according to a written complaint lodged Wednesday with Sambalpur sub-collector.
Similarly, the ready-to-be-reaped crops of many in Nuagaon village under Dhama panchayat have been damaged by BPH, alleged Tulasiram Hota, Shambhu Prasad Meher and Nilambar Majhi of the village.
Many farmers suffered from similar problems last kharif season and alleged supply of substandard pesticide by the agriculture department. However, the administration ignored the allegations, it was learnt.
On the other hand, supply of ineffective pesticide to the farmers only multiplies their loss, a farmer of the block pointed out.
Many farmers sought attention of the administration into the matter at the earliest.