JHARSUGUDA: Farmers of Syriapalli village under Kolabira block in Jharsuguda district set their pest-affected crops in over 20 acres of land on fire on Friday noon. The crops belonged to Jay Krusna Patel, Falguni Patel, Sabitri Patel and Raghumani Patel of the village.
They alleged that no steps were taken by the Agriculture department officials to control pest attack even as they informed them about it much earlier. With no way out, they tried using pesticides without much respite and finally, set the affected crops on fire.
On Saturday, farmers of Samasingha , Sodhamal and Kulihamal panchayats submitted a memorandum to Collector Bibhuti Bhusan Patnaik urging him to grant compensation for crop loss due to pest attack. Similarly, farmers of Badabahal village under Jhilapalli panchayat, carrying affected crops, met Tehsildar Sanjib Patel and Assistant Agriculture Officer Rasmiranjan Toppo and demanded compensation. They urged the officials for a damage assessment. ADM Sitaram Patel, who was present there, assured the farmers of crop loss assessment by revenue and agriculture department officials.