Thannganing Hungyo
Dimapur | August 30
NAGALAND’S FARMERS are facing a crisis because of scanty rainfall in the year declared as the ‘Year of the Farmer.’ Up to August this year, the Meteorological report has testified rainfall of only 640 mm as compared to the average annual rainfall of 1800 - 2500 mm in a year. The average annual increase in temperature has also risen by over 1 degree centigrade, as per latest official reports.
Speaking over phone from Delhi, Nagaland’s Agriculture Production Commissioner Alemtemshi Jamir, who is also Principal Secretary for Agriculture, said “huge damage” has been inflicted on the crops grown in the State. The worst-affected areas are the ‘pani-khetis (paddy fields)’situated at the foothills, he informed. A task force is being instituted to look into the problem, he said. An assessment will be available shortly.
Citing figures, Alemtemshi brought up to date the data that 30% of transplantation of crops has failed to take place because of the marked scarcity in rainfall. Hence, the quality of grains in both upland and lowland areas has also been affected and a rough estimate of Rs 200 crore is seen as the loss incurred by farmers. While Delhi’s help will have to be sought, what is more important is the working out of an action plan to help the farmers, the senior bureaucrat said. The declaration of 2006 as the ‘Year of the Farmer’ will help in devising new policies for the benefit of the tillers of the land, he said.
Heads of administration of different districts have also taken stock of the situation. Reports on the levels of damage are being prepared and are likely to be submitted in a few days time.
Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Singh confided that in a lot of areas under his district “a lot of damage to crops has been done.” The absence of rains has affected almost every village, he said. Both jhum fields and pani-khetis have been hard-hit, he added.
In a similar vein, Abhishek’s counterpart in Zunheboto, CK Nihekhu, said 70% of the crops under Zunheboto district have been damaged because of the drought-like situation. “Reports are pouring in from all areas,” he updated. The district will be approaching Kohima soon, Nihekhu said.
In the more level agricultural fields of Dimapur, pani-khetis are said to have borne the brunt of the suffering due to the shying away of the water from the heavens. The district’s Deputy Commissioner KN Ngullie said Dimapur is also preparing a report, in tune with the other districts.
Morung Express News
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