2006, 'Year of fear' for farmers in Nagaland

Kohima, Sep 3 (UNI) Though the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) has declared 2006 as the "Year of Farmers", farmers appear to be the worst sufferers with the state not receiving adequate rains.

Nagaland had received an average annual rainfall of only 640 mm so far against the average annual rainfall of 1800 to 2500 mm, thereby, increasing the mercury levels, said the Met officials.

This had led to cracks in almost all paddy fields, both in uplands (Jhum and terrace) and lowlands (transplantation), they added.

The state government had instituted an expert committee headed by State Agriculture Production Commissioner to look into the reported drought like situation and submit its report immediately and take precautionary measures to prevent further damage to crops, officials said.

Besides, it had directed the district agricultural officers to check the stock of food crops and submit a report.

The farmers had incurred an estimated loss of Rs 200 crores as 30 per cent of the crops were destroyed, however, the exact loss would be known only after the submission of the Expert Committee report, officials said.

An action plan would be prepared after studying the detail report to help the reeling farmers, the committee said.

The declaration of 'the Year of Farmers' would also help in devising new policies for the benefit of the farmers, official sources said.

The state government have decided to also sought help of the Centre to provide relief to the farmers, they said.

UNI AS PP PL SS1011