Keonjhar Farmers Face Ruin as Mystery Blight Destroys Paddy
A severe agricultural crisis is unfolding in the Sadar block of Keonjhar district. Farmers are reporting the total destruction of paddy crops across thousands of hectares just as the harvest season was set to begin. This sudden and widespread failure has left the local farming community facing immense financial distress.
Details of the Crop Failure
The problem appears to be a dual attack from disease and pests. Farmers first observed the leaves of the paddy plants turning yellow. Following this, the paddy ears dried up completely, failing to produce any grain. This mysterious affliction has been worsened by an infestation of the Brown Plant Hopper, locally known as 'Chakada Poka'. This pest drains the sap from the plants, compounding the damage and accelerating the crop loss.
The devastation is widespread, impacting numerous panchayats including Shankiri, Bauripada, Kathbari, and Gobardhan. Farmers are distraught, noting they had invested a year of difficult labour and taken loans for cultivation. They also reported that standard pesticides and crop protection chemicals proved completely ineffective against the unknown ailment.
Official Investigation Underway
In response, Sadar block agriculture officials have begun visiting the affected fields. Sadar Agriculture Officer Sushant Kumar Panda confirmed that inspections are ongoing. He stated that the issue may not be a single specific disease but rather a result of environmental stress. He suggested that recent weather irregularities, such as excessive rainfall and sudden temperature increases, are likely contributing factors. Officials have collected damaged crop samples for laboratory analysis to determine the precise cause.
