Ganjam: Aside from suffering huge losses in terms of losing their houses and cattle, peasants engaged in peanut cultivation in Satul, Kujidhepa and Sanbargaon villages of Ganjam block in Ganjam district are facing hard times as the severe cyclonic storm Fani has destroyed their crops.
The unusual heavy rains accompanying Fani has caused heavy damages to this Rabi crop in the district. The fields are still water-logged due to which the peanuts, which were ready for harvesting, have already started growing sprouts in the field.
According to reports, farmers in Ganjam block had cultivated peanuts in over 400 hectares. The Agricultural Department had distributed two packets of peanut seeds per house in the district to encourage them to undertake peanuts cultivation.
Heavy rains have ruined the farmers who had borrowed money from the co-operative banks and private money lenders to cultivate peanuts. Now the farmers are a worried lot as they are unable to pay off their debts.
Initial reports said that more than 300 hectares of peanut crops have been damaged in the district. Agricultural workers Anadi Sahoo and Simanchal Das have started assessing the total damage suffered by these farmers.
It is double whammy for the farmers in the district who are yet to recover from effects of the drought following last year’s deficit monsoon. Now, the farmers have urged the district administration to compensate them for the damages.
PNN