Govt to assess agriculture damage

Morung Express News
Dimapur| July 15

For farmers in low lying areas of the state like Dimapur and Jalukie, the wait for monsoon has been long. According to reports from the district agriculture office, the condition of farmers in Dimapur is pitiable while the situation in Jalukie is no better. A reminder of a similar situation faced in 2006 due to scanty rainfall, farmers in the two areas are hoping the rain gods will replenish the fields. The agriculture department is also waiting for a little rainfall to bless the farmers before the monsoon season is over. 

Considering the extensive damaged caused by delay of monsoon this year, the government is carrying out assessments across the state. In Dimapur, till date, the district agriculture office informed that 50% of crops have been affected and there is every reason to call it a ‘drought like situation.’ However, they are still waiting till monsoon is officially over to evaluate the extent of damage. Apparently, maize and paddy are the two most affected crops in Dimapur and Jalukie. In Jalukie, though, the problem is compounded by rodents. Bamboo flowering and subsequent attacks by rodents has left Jalukie farmers helpless. 

The assessment, it is informed, is not a yearly affair but is generally carried out whenever there is a crisis of natural calamity. And the preliminary reports in Dimapur and Jalukie suggest the need to make the necessary assessments. District agriculture officer, Nguzonyi Wetsa said that if the Kharif (summer) crops fail now, the farmers will have to cultivate alternate Rabi (winter) crops thereafter. Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Chumben Murry said that the government is in the process of evaluating the extent of damage. He said the assessment is based purely on the effects of climate change and a committee headed, possibly, by the Chief Secretary will look into the matter, the Minster added. A high level meeting is also set to take place in Kohima today to discuss the problems. In the meantime, Dr. Murry said that there is no need to ‘panic’ as monsoon is still awaited, late though it may be. 

Meanwhile, expressing concerns over the plight of farmers, Dr. Murry also said the government will be ready to extend help to farmers, if after the assessments; it is found that the harvest has not been good for them. In case such a situation arises, agriculture officials say that the farmers must also cooperate in furnishing exact extent of damage and not in excess. On the other hand, experts also feel that the dependency on monsoon has become a fear factor for farmers especially in plain areas places like Dimapur. They suggest that the government should adopt alternate methods to help farmers to secure harvest in future.