Attabira: Pests have reportedly caused massive damage to paddy plants in Attabira and Bheden blocks of Bargarh district.
This has dealt a blow to the economic backbone of the farmers while some of them are in a hurry to save crops by starting early harvesting.
Pests have spread in two acres of Santosh Bhoi, a farmer of Deshbhatli under Bheden block. Panicked over the fast spreading of brown plant hoppers (BPH) in his land, Bhoi has started harvesting paddy early.
“Over 50 per cent of the crops have been destroyed,” lamented a crest-fallen Bhoi. He has raised paddy in four acres of land by taking loans from three banks.
Most farmers voiced their frustration as the pests are not contained despite application of pesticides. In some cases, leaves of paddy plants get scorched.
The farmers have desperately been running from the block agriculture office to their farmland, seeking advice from experts to save their crops, but to no avail.
“As pesticides are not working, I was compelled to reap paddy even though they have not matured enough for harvesting,” Bhoi said. Similar is the situation at other farmlands.
Following media reports, officials of the revenue and agriculture departments conducted a survey of the crops damaged by BPH in the area Thursday.
Assistant agriculture officer of Bheden, Ananda Bhoi, said their staff will also go to the affected areas to assess the crop damage soon.
Bheden tehsildar Sima Babita Kulu said their next step will be to carry out a joint survey in the pest affected areas.
Farmers have urged the agriculture department to supply them effective pesticides.