Ekma (Saran). The recent cyclonic storm “Arnab” and continuous rains have increased the problems of the farmers of Ekma block of Saran district. In various Panchayats including Amdadhi Panchayat of the block, the prepared paddy crop has fallen on the ground due to water logging in the fields and strong wind. Due to this, farmers are facing huge financial losses. Former chief Omprakash Singh says that the paddy crop is currently ripe and ready. In such a situation, the sudden change in weather has become a problem for the farmers. Due to rain, there has been waterlogging in the fields, while due to strong winds, the ready crop of paddy has been scattered in the fields. In many fields, the possibility of crop falling amid water rotting and grain getting spoiled has increased. Due to this, there is also problem in harvesting of paddy.
Farmers from villages like Rampur, Dekuli, Gauspur, Pandey Chhapra, Rajapur, Rasulpur, Bharhopur, Harpur, Parsagarh etc., including farmer Vijay Kumar Singh, say that after working hard for the whole year and investing capital in farming, when the crop was ready, the natural disaster dashed their hopes. If water does not drain from the fields soon and the weather is not favourable, paddy production is sure to be adversely affected. Due to this, farmers may have to suffer financial loss.
Farmers like Awadhesh Yadav, resident of Rajapur and Pradeep Singh, Chandramani Singh, residents of Gauspur village, have demanded an impartial assessment from the district administration, agriculture department and the state government by conducting on-site inspection of the damage caused to crops in the affected panchayats. Also appealed to provide appropriate compensation and government assistance to the affected farmers, so that they can get some relief in compensating the losses caused by the natural disaster.
However, now the eyes of the farmers are fixed on administrative initiatives and government assistance.