Seeds of discontent hit Ganjam farmers

BERHAMPUR: The widespread monsoon rain in Ganjam has failed to cheer up farmers. The Phailin-hit farmers apprehend kharif operation would be hit due to short supply of paddy seeds.
The agriculture department has targeted to cultivate paddy on 2.23 lakh hectare and non-paddy on 1.8 lakh hectare in the district during this kharif, official sources said.
Farmers are depending on Odisha State Seeds Corporation as seed production in the district was affected due to Phailin in October last year.But the agriculture department has failed to supply the required quantities of seeds to undertake agricultural operations, said farmers.
Moreover the agriculture department has failed to supply seeds in tune with the demand. "We want swarna masoori variety of seed. But the department has failed to provide the same. We are not sure about yield of new varieties of seeds," said Rabindra Kumar Sahu, a farmer of Golanthara.
Like him several farmers in the district have complained about short supply of seeds. There are also reports of farmers' agitation breaking out in different areas for supply of seeds.
Official sources said the district requires 72,864 quintal seeds this year. The department has supplied around 36,000 quintal so far to the farmers through dealers and primary agriculture cooperative societies.
"We are expecting 8,000 to 10,000 quintals of seed will reach the district soon," said deputy director, agriculture, (Ganjam) S K Sarangi. Last year, the department had supplied 43,000 quintal seed to the district.
He, however, ruled out threat to kharif operation due to shortage of seeds. With monsoon rain lashing the district, preparation of land has started in full swing, he added.