Odisha farmers in deep water as rains damage crop fields

Large tracts of paddy fields have been damaged due to recent torrential rains in Kendrapara district and its nearby areas. Paddy saplings have been damaged in Rajnagar, Aul, Rajkanika, Derabishi and Pattamundai blocks of Kendrapara district. Scores of farmers of Kansar and Ostapur gram panchayats in the district, demanding compensation for crop loss, blocked the main road at Kansar. Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Agriculture department, Kendrapara, M Das said all block agriculture officers have been directed to submit a detailed report on crop loss. “The farmers will be provided assistance after the report is received.