This time, seed may play havoc with farmers

ROURKELA: The early monsoon rain has farmers of Sundargarh district take up ploughing and sowing of seeds for paddy cultivation.But inadequate supply of seed has fuelled fear of low crop yield.Unlike the coastal districts where broadcasting is done at the end of July, the farmers in Sundargarh district with little irrigation cover relied completely on monsoon as broadcasting is taken up on high and medium land during June. This requires immediate supply of seeds.Sources said after two successive bad kharif crop seasons, the mood of the farmers this time round is upbeat with somewhat good rainfall so far. However, even as the administrative machinery is busy in the distribution of limited high-yield seeds, those who are yet to get the desired seed seem unwilling to wait for long. Marginal tribal farmer Francis Samad of Lathikata block said he had already sown the available seeds, as finding the better variety on time seems remote.It is learnt, the agriculture authorities in the district have targeted to cover 2.13 lakh hectares (ha) under paddy involving nearly 1,78,500 farming families.The district had sought 23,000 quintals of seed, but the State Government, facing high demand from all the districts, slashed it to 18,000 quintals before agreeing to augment supply.Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) SK Jena said so far the district had received 19,300 quintals of seed and more quality seed is likely to arrive. But he could not specify the quantity.Local farmers are facing difficulties in getting shortduration paddy seed which is more in demand as crops get readied for harvest in three months.Earlier, farmers in Nuagaon detained agriculture officials for hours demanding the seed.