BHUBANESWAR: Amid the India Meteorological Department (IMD) prediction of cyclone Dana hitting the state coast, the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology on Sunday issued a detailed advisory on dos and don’ts for farmers.
In its advisory, the directorate of extension education of OUAT has recommended a contingency plan for farmers to minimise damage and save their kharif crops and vegetables while advising them not to be panic.
As paddy dominated the cropped area during Kharif and is in the maturity stage, farmers are advised to harvest an early variety of paddy with 85 per cent maturity and keep it in a safe place. If possible, separate the paddy grains from the crop by threshing, else cover the harvested crops with polythene to keep it dry, said the advisory.
In case of medium and long duration paddy crops, farmers were advised to drain out excess water by providing drainage channel at an interval of every three feet distance if lodged. The lodged plants should be straightened to avoid rotting of emerged panicles.
As heavy rainfall may aggravate the infestation of cut worms in late rice, the advisory recommended the use of plant protection measures by spraying chlorpyrifos at the rate of 2 ml per litre water.
For pulses and oil seed crops, steps must be taken for draining out water from the field and pick matured pods instead of waiting for the total maturity of pods to avoid viviparous germination in the pod itself. “Pick the matured pod as soon as possible and dry and thresh the harvested pods for safe storage. Heavy rainfall may aggravate pest attacks on pre-rabi pulses. Go for plant protection measures as per the advice of the field staff of the Agriculture department or officials of Krishi Vigyan Kendras,” the advisory said.
Similarly, the directorate advised farmers to drain out excess water from vegetable fields. If seedlings are damaged due to the cyclone, steps should be taken for re-sowing in the nursery immediately for planting of vegetable crops.
Farmers were further advised to stop all activities of sowing or plantation of rabi crops.