Naxal threat forces farmers out of rabi-kharif cycle

THE OTHER INDIA

Kamlesh Paikra, a medium farmer who owns agricultural land near Bijapur, has decided not to sow paddy crop this rabi season.

The decision was taken not because the region lacks proper irrigation facilities, but following the Naxal terror that had constantly brought down the acreage of paddy in the area in last couple of years.

While the acreage of paddy has come down from 2.18 lakh hectares to 2.09 lakh hectares this kharif season in the Dantewada district, the hotbed of Naxalites, the rabi estimate for paddy in the district is zero.

"If there is surplus foodgrain, Naxalites carry it away after raiding the houses. Hence, people keep only a limited quantity, which they need for meals," says Paikra.

Since the villagers get sufficient paddy to cater to their requirement in the kharif season, they avoid sowing rabi crop, which also saves them from the rebels' fury," he adds.

The agriculture department officials, however, explain other reasons. "Since the region lacks proper irrigation facility, the farmers do not sow rabi paddy," says Rajesh Chandravanshi, deputy director in the directorate of agriculture.

Last year, paddy sowing was estimated in 20 hectares for rabi and the target was achieved. However, this year, the government decided not to put any estimate for rabi as there would be zero production, Chandravanshi said.

Kanker district collector K R Pisda, who had served as the Dantewada collector before coming to Kanker recently, said, "The farmers in Dantewada district have stopped sowing paddy during rabi following Naxal threats."

The villagers cannot guard the farms in the night due to rebels' movement and violence. This results in huge crop damage by the animals as in tribal areas, people free the cattle for grazing instead of keeping them in houses, Pisda explained.

The kharif estimate for paddy in Dantewada was 2.09 lakh hectares this year. But the sources said only 2 lakh hectares could be achieved. Last year, 1.99 lakh hectares was achieved as against the estimate of 2.18 lakh hectares.

According to Himanshu Kumar, who runs an NGO Vanvasi Chetana Ashram in Dantewada, acreage in interior areas has come down considerably in the recent years. More than 55,000 people, mostly farmers, have deserted their villages and are staying in relief camps.