Agriculture dept ready with 11,340 metric tonne certified paddy seeds

The state Agriculture department is prepared with 11,340 metric tonne certified paddy seeds to distribute among the affected farmers in case of an emergency-like situation. This comes after incessant rain battered several districts for the past four days and certain parts of South Bengal have been heavily inundated.

Purnendu Basu, the state Agriculture minister, said: "The situation is under control. But as a precautionary measure 11,340 metric tonne paddy seeds are in stock. In case of any emergency it would be distributed among the affected farmers." At the same time, there are paddy saplings on every one acre in 293 farms in the state. This can also be used in case of an emergency. In such a situation, farmers too use "mulching" process for seed cultivation. The state Agriculture department has taken all sorts of measures to support farmers when some parts are left inundated due to heavy rainfall. A control room has been set up at the agriculture department's office on Strand Road in North Kolkata. The number of the control room is 033 2262 5795. Officials from districts are contacting here to pass on updates regarding the condition of crops in the areas which have gone under water.

Leaves of all officers of the agriculture department have been cancelled till further notice is issued. The Agriculture minister said so far, sowing of paddy seeds have already taken place on around 21

percent of the total cultivable land. "It would not affect much if the rain stops by today (Tuesday)," said Basu, adding that the complete report on the condition of crop after the incessant rain will reach the state Secretariat in the next two to three days. It may be mentioned that the state government had given Rs 3,500 crore compensation to farmers after their crops were damaged due to floods in 2015-16. The state had repeatedly approached the Centre for the money. But the Centre did not release the fund.

Currently, keeping in mind the crisis situation, the state government has decided to provide a compensation worth Rs 205 crore to farmers as they have incurred heavy losses due to unpredictable rain and hailstorms when the Monsoon set in this year. The state Agriculture department is also having its e-platform "Matir Katha" through which farmers can ask any question related to farming. At present Krishi Sahayaks assist the farmers to send in their questions. But in the next two months, farmers themselves can access the system from their smartphones. They can also contact the following cell numbers — 8373093111, 8336957111, 8336900632 and 8170044701.