Pain of Loss: Bargarh farmer runs tractor over watermelon field after hailstorm damaged crop

By Suresh Kumar Dash

Bargarh, April 6: This piece of news will surely disturb the peace of any sane soul. A farmer in Odisha’s Bargarh district, apparently frustrated over the heavy damage to his standing watermelon crop inflicted by the recent unseasonal rain accompanied by hailstorm triggered under the influence of the western disturbance, has run over the remaining cultivation with a tractor.

Reports from Bargarh said the farmer Kshirod Suna of Kudopali village under Pamapur block cultivated watermelon on three acres of land. He had borrowed Rs 95,000 and invested the amount in the cultivation with the hope that he will make a good profit this year.

The orchard was laden with fruits and flowers and almost ready for the harvest. However, the recent heavy rain accompanied by hailstorm due to western disturbance adversely affected the cultivation.

Suna said most of the fruit that was almost ready for harvest was damaged completely. The stems of the plants were also damaged due to the hailstorm. As a result, Suna’s hope of a high yield was shattered.

The loss of crop pushed Suna into distress. After being clueless about how to repay the loans, Suna ran over the remaining watermelon cultivation using a tractor.

“I had worked so hard and was hopeful of a good harvest. However, my dream has been completely shattered due to the unseasonal rain and hailstorm,” said Suna.

“Like other farmers in our area, I borrowed Rs 95,000 to invest in watermelon cultivation. Following the damage to the crops, I am clueless about how to repay the loan. The distress sale of watermelons has also added to the woes. I had no option left but to destroy the remaining crops and plough my land to start cultivating a new crop again,” said Suna.

It may be mentioned here that many farmers in Rayagada and Ganjam district also suffered huge losses due to hailstorm last month. Vegetables and horticultural crops grown by them were damaged.

The farmers have demanded the government to announce compensation for the crop damage.