July 21st 2024.
In the beautiful district of Daringbadi, the production of renowned Kandhamal turmeric and ginger is facing a major setback. It seems that the farmers in the area have lost interest in growing these highly sought-after spices through organic methods. This unfortunate situation has arisen due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, the farmers are struggling to secure loans for cultivation, and even when they do, there are often long delays in receiving the seeds. To make matters worse, the Horticulture department in Daringbadi has not taken any initiative to provide proper training to the farmers on how to cultivate ginger and turmeric effectively.
Although the department does arrange for the identification of farmers and the distribution of free seeds, this process has faced significant delays this year, as it has in previous years. In fact, two farmers, Samson Digal and Amarendra Pradhan, have come forward to express their frustration with the inordinate delays in receiving the seeds. This has caused a great deal of apprehension among the farmers, who are now uncertain about the success of their harvest.
Adding to their worries is the unpredictable weather, with heavy rains pouring down during the planting season. This has made it even more challenging for those who have received the delayed seeds, as excessive rainfall can negatively impact the growth of ginger and turmeric. In a desperate attempt to make some money, some farmers have resorted to selling their seeds at extremely low prices in the market.
Interestingly, while the department is busy distributing seeds to farmers for cultivation, there are reports of raw turmeric being transported out of the state from this very region. It is believed that the farmers may have already planted turmeric before the delayed seeds arrived, leading to an excess of the spice. As a result, this leftover turmeric and some collected from the forest is being sold to traders, who are exporting it to other states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
In response to these concerns, Sunil Behera, an overseer from the Horticulture department, has stated that they will work towards creating awareness among farmers about the proper use of the seeds provided by the department. He also warned that strict action will be taken against those who have received seeds but have chosen to sell them instead of cultivating.
As for the delay in seed distribution, Behera explained that there was a slight delay, but the seeds have now been distributed for Kharif cultivation. In fact, a total of 453 quintals of turmeric seeds were distributed to 278 farmers in May, and 186 quintals of ginger seeds were given to 278 farmers in the first phase, with the distribution of the remaining 140 quintals to 200 farmers currently underway.
In conclusion, while the production of Kandhamal turmeric and ginger may be facing challenges, the Horticulture department is working to resolve these issues and support the farmers in their cultivation efforts. Hopefully, with proper training and timely distribution of seeds, the farmers in Daringbadi will be able to continue producing the world-famous spices that the district is known for.
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