The much-needed rain across Orissa that was reeling under a prolonged dry spell has brightened the prospects of a good paddy harvest, bringing the smile back on the faces of the farmers.
"Timely rainfall across the state for the past 3-4 days has brightened the prospect of paddy crop in the state which was under threat due to a prolonged dry spell in several districts," state Agriculture minister Damodar Rout said.
Before the downpour, rain deficiency was 39 per cent in 12 districts and over 60 per cent in some other areas, state Meteorological department said.
Concerned over the situation, Hyderabad based Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) had advised farmers to use water from ponds or wells for protecting the nurseries for rice and transplanted paddy crop.
A constituent of ICAR, CRIDA, the national level institute with a focus on rainfed agriculture advised farmers to withhold top dressing of fertiliser till a good spell of rain.
However, surplus rainfall between July 24-27 has ended all worries about the crop in the predominantly rice-eating state, the minister said, adding that more rainfall is expected in the near future.
According to state Met department director S C Sahu, Orissa received 256 per cent more than normal rain during July 24-26. Keonjhargarh, Kendrapara, Jharsugudda and Jajpur received over 350 to 775 per cent more than normal rains during the period, Sahu added.
Buoyed by rains, Rout said paddy cultivation would surpass what it was last year.
Paddy cultivation is expected to be 74 lakh tonnes this year in comparison to 70 lakh tonnes last year, the minister added.
To see the farmers through the tough times, the state government had announced to raise disbursement under farm loan to Rs 1600 crore from Rs 1500 crore last year. The loans were being arranged at a low interest of 3 per cent through Cooperative Banks, Rout said.
