SAMBALPUR: The closure of Orient Paper Mills (OPM) way back in 1999 may have dealt a blow to thousands of families besides derailing the district’s economy but nearly 10 years later the closed plant is serving as a gold mine for the local farmers. The sludge of the closed paper mill has infused new life into the agricultural fields in western Orissa.
OPM at Brajrajnagar which used to employ 4000 people is now a saviour for the farmers who were struggling to get their soil’s ph levels right. Sources said, scientific tests had revealed that the acidic nature of the soil was acting as an impediment in yield and the farmers were having to bear the burden. Not much thought was given to it until the Chairman of Western Orissa Development Council (WODC), Niranjan Panda, an agriculture scientist, decided to use the waste paper mill sludge to neutralise the acidic nature of soil in the region.
The soil of seven districts of western Orissa was first tested at Orissa University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar in 2007. The results were encouraging in cultivation of groundnut. Not only vigorous growth of plants was reported but there was 100 percent production and size of the nuts were also big, informed Deputy Director of Agriculture, Dhruba Charan Pal. Later the use of the sludge was extended to five more districts.
The WODC also moved the State Government over the issue and today agriculture fields in these 12 districts of western Orissa are being treated with the sludge. Till date 22,231 metric tonne of the sludge has been used on 1,01,155 acres of land. The sludge is being supplied under Rashtriya Krushi Vikash Yojana, National Food Security Mission, besides a package has been declared by the Chief Minister to boost agriculture. While the State Government is paying for the transportation cost, Rs 10 per 50 kg bag is being levied on the farmers. And this endeavour is all set to change the face of agriculture in the region.