Collector Vasumana Pant inspects drought-hit crops in Ballarpur taluka, orders 20% ground truthing
District Collector Vasumana Pant visited farms in Ashti Rith and Palasgaon and asked for a field check of 20 per cent of the taluka's sown area to be completed at once.
Images are not validated/verified
Drought-like conditions persist in the district. In view of this, District Collector Vasumana Pant on the 9th visited the villages of Ashti Rith and Palasgaon in Ballarpur taluka and saw the damage to farms first-hand.
Paddy and cotton crops in Ballarpur taluka have suffered considerable damage because of the gap in rainfall. Collector Pant visited the farms of Vijay Balaji Bhoyar, Ramdas Bhoyar, Mukunda Madavi and Maruti Madavi in Ashti Rith and Palasgaon, inspected the crops and spoke directly to these farmers. He also learnt of the difficulties faced by the affected farmers.
He took detailed information from District Superintending Agriculture Officer Shankar Totawar on how the lack of rain has affected the crops, how much the yield may fall, what problems the farmers are facing and how much loss has occurred so far. Pant said an accurate and objective assessment of the farmers' losses was essential, and that the process of direct field verification should be carried out swiftly for this.
Considering the severity of the drought, Collector Pant directed that ground truthing, that is direct field verification, of 20 per cent of the taluka's total sown area be completed immediately and the report submitted.
He specifically said there should be no delay in the ground-truthing work. The revenue, agriculture and Zilla Parishad agencies should work in coordination. The crop loss report, based on direct verification of 20 per cent of Ballarpur taluka's total sown area, should be submitted without delay. On the basis of this report, it will be possible to send the necessary proposals to the government immediately, so ground truthing should be given top priority, Collector Pant directed.
Sub-Divisional Officer of Ballarpur Dr Arjun Pawra, Tehsildar Renuka Kokate, Block Development Officer Dhananjay Salve and Taluka Agriculture Officer Akash Pawar were present during the visit. Village revenue officers, assistant agriculture officers, gram panchayat officers and officials and staff of the departments concerned were also with them. Vilas Kumre, Palasgaon sarpanch Sangita Soyam, Vasudev Madavi and local farmers were also present.
Visit to Kesar mango orchard area: Collector Vasumana Pant also visited the Kesar mango orchard area in Kortimakta gram panchayat. The orchard has been raised under the convergence of the Viksit Bharat Rozgar and Ajeevika Guarantee (Gramin) scheme (VB-G RAM G) and the District Mineral Foundation fund.
