JJM APPEALS TIMELY AND FREE SEEDS TO FARMERS FOR SECOND CROPS

Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta

Rayagada, December 4:  Members of a district level social outfit named Jana Jagarana Mancha(JJM), Rayagada, have urged the concerned authorities to ensure the provision of adequate seeds by  first week of December, facilitating timely Rabi crop cultivation.

Since July, JJM has been actively advocating with block and district authorities to provide seeds to all intending farmers for second crops by the 15th of October. A comprehensive list of intended farmers has been shared with Block and District Agriculture Officers. Unfortunately, many farmers have not received the seeds, posing a significant challenge to their timely cultivation.

Manas Kumar Behera, Kusa Pradhani, Dibakar Sabar, Simanchal Naik, Susanta Toika, Sumitra Kulesika, Sudhir Gamanga, Suresh Miniaka, James Sabar and Bijay Laxmi of JJM have expressed concern, stating, “If farmers do not receive the required seeds by the 1st week of December, they will not be able to pursue the second crop, as the cropping fields will have limited or no moisture.”

Despite the commendable efforts by the Odisha government, challenges persist in seed availability as per farmers’ demands, coupled with delays in subsidized seed distribution. Notably, farmers whose names are listed for subsidized seeds are compelled to pay the total amount during seed purchase, receiving the subsidy amount belatedly. This situation creates a severe financial burden for farmers.

Given these challenges, JJM has urged the government to declare to provide free seeds from the next year to all intended farmers for the second crop. This initiative not only will support the farmers directly but also contribute significantly to the overall agricultural development of the district. A senior member of District Advocacy Committee of JJM emphasized, “This initiative is crucial for the well-being of our farmers and the prosperity of agriculture in our Rayagada district.”