Orissa: Kalahandi farmers left high and dry

Merinews, June 4, 2009
CJ: Bikram Panda

This year's Elections have brought some ups and downs in Kalahandi district areas. The coalition Government in Orissa did a good job during its last tenure and the people of Kalahandi hope CM Patnaik will work for the upliftement of farmers there.

KALAHANDI, as the name suggests, is the land of art and culture. A majority of the people residing in this district depends upon farming for their livelihood. Paddy is the major crop for these farmers.

Before the 90s, the Kalahandi district used to have only one farming season that is during the monsoon period (seasonal Crop). After Upper Indravati Hydel Project, the majority of the areas got water during summers for a second crop. The project brought some smiles on the faces of farmers and the draught problem also got resolved in Kalahandi.

This year’s Election has brought some ups and downs in these areas. The coalition Government in Orissa did a good job during its last tenure. Several Food Corporation of India (FCI) units have been opened in Kalahandi for farmers. Last year, the cost per 75 kg bag paddy was more than Rs 700 mark.

The Orissa Rajya Sabha Election was held this year before the crop selling season. Following a clash between the BJP and the BJD in Orissa, they got separated. In spite of that the Navin Patnaik's BJD won the election by majority. In these elections, no one from the ruling Government showed any concern about the crop selling and buying activities.

These elections have brought down the cost per bag of paddy to below Rs 600 mark.

In Kalahandi it’s around Rs 560-600. The Government should do something right now for fixing this deficit. As the farmers depend upon their crop only, so how they are going to make their day to day living with such a less money? There are more then 100 rice mills in this district but why the people of Kalahandi are facing such a problem and why the Government of Orissa is not taking any action on this?

Another problem that the people may face is the supply of Indravati water. The recent report shows that the water level in Indravati Hydel Park has come down. This may cause insufficient supply of water to the farmers in these regions. Farmers are currently paying Rs 100 per acre as water Tax for seasonal crop and Rs 180 for summer crop. This should be revised and the Government should give some special compensation to these people by fixing the tax as Rs 150 per acre for one time in an year.

Hope to see better governance from Navin Patnaik for the uplift of these farmers of Kalahandi.