Naveen wants crop data in hand by 15th October before his government takes on the monsoon challenges on the Kharif crop

Utkal Reporter Bureau| 4 October 2017

The government of Odisha is observing the impact of rain shortfall on the kharif crop in about 114 blocks in Odisha.

On Tuesday Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik took a meeting with high level authorities to take stock of the present crop position and other agrarian factors in the state. He directed the District Collectors to submit Panchayat wise reports on the effect of deficit rainfall on the crops.  The reports are to be submitted latest by October 15,

Government will take further step to tackle the situation after the reports arrive, said Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout.” All kinds of preparations are in place. We are waiting for the data

As per the Agriculture department’s report, Odisha till date has received 1028.3 mm rainfall against the normal 1144.3 mm registering 10.01% deficit. Crops in 114 blocks are at risk due to poor rainfall.Recently Odisha government has introduced three successive dry weeks as a new norm to make a pancahyat eligible for drought recognition.As many as 148 blocks have received no rainfall for three consecutive weeks during June and September.

In the current kharuf season 59.809 lakh ha of land have undergone agricultural activities against the targeted 61.525 lakh ha.