Even as a farmer committed suicide in Odisha’s Nuapada district, the State government on Tuesday said crops in 114 of the 314 blocks were adversely affected by scanty rainfall this year.
Jadumani Bag, 30, of Larka village under Boden block, had worked in the construction sector last year. But this year, he had decided to undertake paddy cultivation in 2.5 acres.
Family members said he had taken a loan of ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 from private lenders. On Monday and his wife Dulamani Majhi had gone to inspect his field. Both of them were depressed over the state of the crop. After returning home, he consumed pesticide and died at a private hospital at Khariar on Tuesday.
Dry spell continued for more than three weeks in 97 of the 114 blocks.