Sugarcane cultivation in Orissa on a decline

Nabarangapur (Orissa), June 6(ANI): Farmers in Nabarangapur of Orissa are slowly giving up sugarcane cultivation due to pest problem, construction of dam on Indravati River and lack of marketing facilities.

"We have been doing sugarcane farming for years. But pests have destroyed the crop. And we don't even have a sugarcane factory here, and moreover because of the pests, the farming is not like what it was," said Raghunath Pujari, a farmer.

Construction of a dam on river Indravati has also affected the sugarcane plantation as the water flow has decreased.

"One of the reasons that has affected the sugarcane farming is the Indravati dam. Because of the river the soil in this place was good for the cultivation of sugarcane. But after the dam was made the flow of water became less and the water bearing capacity of the soil has also decreased," Sarbeshwar Patra, a farmer said.

The farmers have been demanding of a suagarcane factory at Nabarangpur so that they can market their produce easily. But it has not been done adding to the woes of the farmers.

"The main reason is marketing. And in some places the pest problem is there. Because the only traditional variety that is grown is very much susceptible to red rot disease. During last year the crop has been affected by the red rot disease on a large scale," Patra added.

Almost 5000 hectares of land are under sugarcane farming in the area but it is expected to shrink if the farmers' problems are not soon addressed. (ANI)