Bhubaneswar, Dec 21: The Odisha government announced on Saturday that it is considering compensating farmers for crop losses caused by continuous rainfall due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal. The heavy rain, which has persisted since Friday, has raised concerns among farmers about potential damage to their crops, particularly paddy.

Addressing the media, State Co-operation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta assured that the government is committed to supporting affected farmers. “If paddy is damaged due to the depression-induced rain, the state government will provide compensation,” he said.

The minister noted that arrangements have been made to safeguard crops at procurement centers (mandis), minimizing the risk of paddy getting wet. “However, there is a possibility of crops sprouting due to prolonged exposure to moisture,” Samanta added.
He further assured that paddy procurement would commence after the rain subsides and the crops are adequately dried. The government’s proactive approach aims to mitigate farmer distress and ensure minimal losses during the ongoing procurement season.

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