Another farmer tries to set crop on fire

RAYAGADA:A farmer of Gajiliguda village under Ramanaguda block tried to set his pest-affected paddy crop on fire on Thursday. However, fellow villagers noticed the fire and put it out immediately.

As per reports, Naidu Girish Rao had cultivated paddy over eight acres of land. However, the crop over five acres was completely damaged due to pest attack. Aggrieved over his loss, Girish tried to set the damaged crop on fire.

Sources said when ‘Chakada’ and Brown Plant Hopper insects started damaging his crops, Girish contacted the Agriculture officials of Gunupur for remedies. As per their direction, he sprayed pesticides to save his crop. However, it yielded no results and his crop over five acres was completely damaged.
As the news of Girish setting his crop on fire spread, Ramanaguda block development officer Gulam Makshad and Gunupur agriculture officer Bijoy Soren rushed to the spot for enquiry and assessing the crop loss. Makshad said, “We have intimated the situation to higher officials regarding the crop loss and accordingly, the farmer will get compensation as per norms of the State Government.”

Girish said he has already taken a loan of `8 lakh from different banks. “If I do not get adequate compensation from the Government, the burden of paying back the loan and to eke out a living will be too much for me,” he said.It is also reported that crop loss in the adjacent villages has assumed alarming proportions.