Inadequate rainfall and a weak monsoon in Odisha has left the farmers worried.
In the state's Rayagada District, farmers are reeling from deficient rainfall, making it difficult for crop cultivation.
However, due to less rainfall this year, the farmers are uncertain about their agricultural yields and have predicted that the state might be heading towards a drought-like situation.
Some of the farmers even took loans to buy seeds but unfortunately less rainfall did not keep the sown seeds alive.
"As it rained a little at the beginning of this rainy season, we thought this year there would be a good rainfall. So we sowed cotton seeds in around seven acres of land but due to lack of rain, the seeds dried up and whatever had already sprouted got burnt due to the heat. We are discouraged and very sad. We do not know what the government will do. But we request the government to declare drought and give us some compensation," said a farmer, Santosh Kaushya.
However, the officials say if the situation prevailed, the farmers will be advised to opt for paddy variety that needs less water.
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"Actually due to scarcity of rain our package of practices hasn't been delayed so much, as it has happened this time. It is already seven days late by now, this is unexpected. If it prevails, we will advise farmers to opt for certain duration of paddy variety and it is also available in the local government cell centre," said Assistant Agriculture Officer, Bibhu Prasad Satpathy.
During the initial days of the June-September wet season, summer crops such as rice, corn, soybean and cotton are not greatly affected by the quantity of rains. The distribution of rainfall in mid-July, after the monsoon covers the entire Indian landmass, is more important for their growth.
The nation's farm sector accounts for 14 percent of its nearly USD 2 trillion economy. Poor rains this year could hit the summer crops, raising food prices and pressuring economic growth that has nearly halved to below 5 percent in the past two years.
Half of nation's farmland lacks access to irrigation, making many farmers particularly dependent on monsoon rains. The nation plans to expand irrigation coverage by at least a tenth by 2017 to cut its dependence on the seasonal rains.
