Govt releases helpline number, seeks report on crop loss due to pest attack

Bhubaneswar: Concerned over incidents of farmers torching their crop due to pest attack, the state government on Thursday launched a toll free number to assist them and check such damages.

“Farmers can get detailed information regarding crops by dialing toll free number 1800-180-1551 between 10 am and 6 pm everyday,” agriculture secretary Sourabh Garg said.

Apart from that, collectors of eight districts have been asked to submit detailed reports on crop loss within 48 hours. “Crop assistance will be provided to the affected farmers accordingly. The agriculture officers will also organise meetings at the sites where crops have been damaged and advise them on proper use of pesticides,” Garg added.

Meanwhile, a three-member team of agriculture department visited Bargarh district and conducted raids on shops selling pesticides and conducted quality tests.

Farmers in different parts of Rayagada and Ganjam districts reportedly torched crops, a day after a farmer in Bargarh district committed suicide after setting his field afire as pests had damaged his standing crop.