An agricultural field in a village under Western Sumi area. The WSYF informed that while some greenery is seen, farmers with their decades of experience say it is only a matter of time that the crops will perish due to lack of rainfall. (Photo Courtesy: WYSF)
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 3 (MExN): The Western Sumi Youth Front (WYSF) has asked the Nagaland State Government and the Agriculture Department to declare a drought in the Western Sumi area and take necessary steps in the interest of the affected farming community.
A press release from the WSYF informed that farmers in Western Sumi jurisdiction especially Aghunaqa, Khaghaboto and Kuhuboto areas are deeply worried with the scanty rainfall this year even after the onset of monsoon, which arrived late.
“Rainfall being the major factor in the sowing/planting, growth and production of food crops, late arrival of monsoon and the insufficient rainfall thereafter has left the farming community in huge distress thinking about their survival for the next season,” it stated.
It informed that farmers in Western Sumi area have witnessed massive agricultural crop loss this year due to scanty rainfall. This has been compounded by the affects of the pandemic since last year. The front stated that farmers are already finding it extremely difficult to cope with these changes since almost all crops are season-dependent and rainfall-dependent.
“Staple food production being dependent on direct rain-fed agriculture, the current situation spells doom for the farming community under Western Sumi jurisdiction since the area is witnessing long dry spells comparing to other parts of the state,” it added.
The WSYF said that “hunger looms large for the farming community although the State Agriculture Department has sounded an alarm over the drought-like situation in the state and are hopeful that the department has prepared a contingency plan for the farmers in case of worsening situation.”
In addition to the delayed monsoon arrival, there has been almost no increase in rainfall in Dimapur district especially in the Western Sumi area leading to failed germination despite repeated sowing attempts and drying up whatever crop was sprouting and standing.
“The farmers who have been cultivating for decades know very well that whatever little green one sees in the ignorable surviving crops would soon turn yellowish and they have no hope about the standing crops yielding even the tiniest result,” it rued.
The WSYF pointed out that while a drought-like situation was sounded by the State Government, the Western Sumi area is worst-hit and the farming community is already experiencing drought since all their agricultural crops have failed to survive and are staring at dried fields.
It said that farmers in these areas will be in further distress if the government does not take positive steps. It requested the Agriculture Department and the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority to depute their staff to the Western Sumi area for on-spot verification and assured to extend all possible support and cooperation.
