Dhenkanal: After mangoes, the demand for Dhenkanal’s green papaya is growing internationally.

The fruit’s unique taste and health benefits have sparked interest among consumers abroad. A total of one tonne of green papaya, cultivated by 14 women farmers from the Saptasajya Agro Producer Company under the Sadar block of Dhenkanal district, was exported to London last week.

Similarly, green papaya harvested from the Ghatipiri area of the Odapada block was shipped to Dublin in Ireland, through the Madan Mohan Cooperative Society.

This marks the first time that green papaya from Dhenkanal has been exported outside India. Most of these women farmers belong to tribal communities.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export process, aiming to provide significant economic benefits to local farmers. Previously, mangoes grown in Dhenkanal had been exported to Dubai. With the rising demand for fruits like green papaya and mangoes grown in the region, there is a crucial need for cold storage facilities.

Meanwhile, farmers have urged authorities to operationalise the abandoned mango hub and the fruit and vegetable preservation centre located along the national highway in Gobindpur under Sadar block.

Dhenkanal Deputy Director of Horticulture Gitashree Padhi stated that green papaya from the district has been exported to London and Ireland for the first time through Saptasajya Agro Producer Company and the Madan Mohan Cooperative Society, with support from APEDA.

She emphasised that such initiatives would encourage farmers and strengthen their economic standing.

PNN

Kendrapara: Just two months back, potato was being sold at Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg in Kendrapara district. However, much has changed within these two months with prices of the tuber dropping to an unbelievable low. Things have come to such a pass that farmers are forced to resort to distress sale. They are now selling potato at just Rs 4 per kg to the traders, who are selling it at Rs 7 per kg in the open market.

Undertaking potato cultivation has been a let-down for farmers as the district neither has storage facilities nor government mandis to store or sell their harvested potatoes. Lack of storage facilities in the district has forced farmers to sell off the potato at throwaway prices.

Potato farmer Bidhubhushan Mohapatra of Palei village under Derabish block said that he has cultivated the product on four acre of farmland. However, now he along with many of his ilk is facing problems to store or sell off their produce. Mohapatra said that he is facing a loss of close to Rs 40,000.

Another farmer, Kalpataru Samantaray of Pattamundai said that the local farmers have cultivated potato on over 30,000 hectare of farmland. However, they are unable to store their leftover stocks anywhere for sale later. Moreover, they are forced to sell their harvest to the local traders due to lack of any government mandi, he pointed out. The Odisha government’s ambitious ‘Potato Mission’ programme will succeed only if it takes care to resolve these problems, Samantaray added.

Local entrepreneur Ratanlal Samal said that farmers have been forced to resort to distress sale during harvest of tomato and potato. Realising the problems, many aspiring youths are interested to set up food processing industry for manufacturing of potato chips and tomato sauce.

They have been contacting various banks and the district industry centre to get a loan. However, no such industry has been established yet in the district due to lack of coordination between the banks and the district industry centre, rued Samal.

Farmer leader Gayadhar Dhal said that the Odisha government launched ‘Potato Mission’ in 2015-16 to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of tuber. The mission implemented by the Horticulture department aimed at making the farmers self-reliant through potato cultivation and reducing dependency on outside states for the essential tubers.

The ‘Potato Mission’ however has failed to achieve any success. The Odisha government had sanctioned Rs 20 crore in 2017-18 FY for the mission but not a single pie has been spent under the scheme which finds mention in the 2019 CAG report.

The problem could be resolved only through establishment of food processing units, cold storages and government mandis, farmers said.

When contacted, Debadas Dutta, assistance director of Horticulture department said that the problem can be resolved with construction of cold storages but there is not a single facility in Kendrapara district.

Chhatrapur: Truckloads of coconut saplings have been purchased from Andhra Pradesh by the office of the assistant director of Horticulture department in Chhatrapur without floating a proper tender, sources said Sunday. Locals have alleged that large scale irregularities have been committed while buying the saplings.

“Lakhs of rupees have been misappropriated during the purchase of saplings,” said former sarpanch of Sriramchandrapur, S Chakrapani Reddy. He has demanded an investigation into the buying of saplings.

Reddy added that the Horticulture department claims that it is growing coconut saplings on its own. However, that is not the case. The saplings are purchased from Andhra Pradesh and later sold to farmers through SHG members.

“After saplings are unloaded from trucks, they are immediately kept on the ground, just to give impression that they are grown by the Horticulture department,” he added.

When asked, deputy director of Horticulture department, Subash Panda denied the allegations. He said that he has knowledge about saplings being brought from Puri and Gajapati districts, but he has no idea about those being purchased from Andhra Pradesh.

PNN

Bolangir: A migrant labourer couple has become self-reliant by fighting all odds in a dry and non-irrigated region like Muribahal block, infamous for migration in Bolangir district. The couple – Gourang Pattnaik and his wife Baidehi Pattnaik of Tetelkhunti village under the block – has achieved selfreliance by growing vegetables on farmlands taken on lease from other villagers. However, with their sheer grit they have brought a turnaround in their fortune by growing vegetables on their farmlands.

A few years back, Gourang and his wife had no choice than to migrate to other states to earn a living. But now with their hard labour and determination they are leading by example in the area.

However, things took a different turn when the couple migrated to Chhattisgarh with their three sons to work in a poultry farm on Raipur outskirts. There they saw some farmlands lying close to the poultry farm. There the couple witnessed how horticulture is profitable and it is helping the farmers to lead a descent life. There they learnt how vegetable farming requires very less water.

Later, they returned to their village and decided to take up some land on lease from co-villagers and start cultivation. They borrowed Rs 20,000 from a co-villager and got 4 acre land on lease from another near a small rivulet called Kankada Jora and cultivated watermelon. They reaped a good harvest and profit from the cultivation.

However, the next year he failed to reap the same quantity of harvest. He was pondering about recovering the losses when he came in contact with an official of a voluntary outfit who taught him to take up mixed crop farming with the assistance from the Horticulture department. They used to leave for their farmland early morning and spend the whole day there cooking food, clearing weeds, applying manure to the plants, planting saplings and watering the crops. Gradually, they became very popular among the farmers’ community in the district.

Encouraged by the advice, he took seven acre of land on lease and cultivated vegetables and applied organic manure for better harvest. Since then, there has been no looking back for the green couple. Gourang said he has earned around Rs 60,000 to Rs 1 lakh from broccoli cultivation on half acre of farmland. Moreover, he has also earned Rs 40,000 from chili cultivation, Rs 1 lakh from pointed gourd and Rs 60,000 from long beans cultivation.

Deputy director of Horticulture department Prafulla Kumar Bhanja said Gourang and his wife have become an example for others to emulate. The couple who once worked as migrant labourers has been able to engage five casual labourers in their farmlands. Collector Chanchal Rana lauded the couple for selecting the right alternative and becoming self-reliant through horticulture. The state government has also been encouraging farmers like Gourang, he said.

Bhadrak: Youths of his age are wasting their time while some others are running after government jobs. However, Ramakant Padhiary, 26, an engineering student of Bant area in Bhadrak district has decided to look after his own future. He has chosen a different path and tried his luck in marigold farming. And his efforts have finally paid off as he has become self-reliant. The successful initiative of Ramakant Padhiary has shown others the way of earning a good amount of money.

Ramakant, son of Gangadhar Padhiary of Odanga panchayat, completed his BTech from Baripada College of Engineering and Technology, two years ago. Thereafter, he prepared himself for a government job, but could not crack the exams. He gave up running after jobs, but focused on farming on his seven-acre land.

Initially, Ramakant helped his father in farming. After fencing the seven acres land, he grew papaya, plantain, other vegetables and cereals. Then, he dug a pond in the farmland and took up fish farming, which fetched him good earning.

However, Ramakant observed that the local market has good demand for marigold flower. Hence, he brought high-yielding marigold saplings from Kolkata in December, last year. He initially invested Rs 20,000 in marigold farming and sold out the flowers for Rs 60,000. Ramakant now feels that there is scope to earn handsome amount of money through marigold farming.

“One kilogram of marigold is sold for Rs 40 to Rs 50. I have raised marigold on around 2.5 decimal land and the daily flower yield is one quintal to one-and-a-half quintals,” Ramakant said.

Importantly, he does not have marketing issues. “I have no problem in selling my produce, because traders come to my farm to buy marigold flowers. If the horticulture department makes provision of training and financial assistance, I would take the farming a step further,” he said.

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed the Horticulture department to enhance the production of some fruits and vegetables to meet the market demand in the state.

At a virtual meeting of the Sanctioning Committee on Micro Irrigation, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra directed the department to make a detailed study on production and requirement of fruits and vegetables like mango, guava, papaya, lemon, onion and tomato in the state.

He told the officials to increase the production of these crops through a definite action plan and popularisation of micro-irrigation, according to an official release on Tuesday.

The chief secretary stressed the need to popularise sprinklers and drip methods among farmers having their land near bore well, deep-well and minor irrigation points. These methods will enhance efficiency and sustainability of irrigation sources and will also increase productivity of the land.

Earlier, the cluster approach was adopted for the promotion of banana, guava and papaya in several districts.

The government has set a target to promote the crops in over 1,260 hectares in the current year as against 1,015 hectares in 2021-22.

Mohapatra gave nod to an action plan of around Rs 531 crore for 2022-23 and it would be invested for the promotion of vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, coconut and plantation of fruits in over one lakh hectares.

PTI 

Dhenkanal: The lone Mango Hub in Dhenkanal district that stopped functioning after a few years of its commissioning in 2014 will be revived soon, official sources said.

Mango farmers in the district would no more have to resort to distress sale of their produce like the last several years.

The popular varieties of mango like Dasheri and Amrapali will again find their ways to national and international markets after the hub revives, the sources asserted.

They also said Dhenkanal administration has recently initiated the process in this regard.

Climatic condition and soil type in the district are quite conducive for cultivation of Dasheri and Amrapali mangoes which have been proved over years.

Even as huge quantities of the tropical fruit are produced here, these have good demands in Delhi, Kolkata, Jharkhand and Bangladesh markets.

When contacted, Collector Saroj Kumar Sethi said, “Dhenkanal district administration is expediting the commissioning of the Mango Hub.”

It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the hub June 27, 2013 at Gobindpur near NH-55 under Sadar block in the district.

It was then built in public private partnership (PPP) mode at a cost of Rs 11 crore.

The multi-purpose and season-based marketing facility was promoted by state Horticulture and Agriculture departments with a joint investment of Rs 10 crore.

For lack of management, the Mango Hub was closed.

However, subsequently in 2020, Agriculture department had proposed to hand over it to the regulated market committee in Dhenkanal, but the hub’s fate was again pushed into uncertainties due to Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.

As per state Horticulture department, the district produced 43,200 metric tonne mango in 2019 and 15,240 metric tonne in 2020.

PNN

Nayagarh: The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is being implemented for farmers to take up fruits and other income-generating farming in the country, but the benefits of the scheme are still out of reach of many farmers in Nayagarh.

Funds have been provided by the horticulture department under this mission to the district, but funds have remained unutilized, a report said.

According to the report, the district was provided Rs 3.53 lakh for banana farming in 2021-22. The target was to take this up across 11.50 hectares. Till date, its work has not been started.

Similarly, Rs 69 lakh was provided to the district for papaya farming in 7.50 hectares. This fund has not been allocated to beneficiaries.

The district has received Rs 1.15 lakh for guava farming, Rs 2.64 lakh for pineapple farming, Rs 54,000 for jackfruit farming, Rs 27,000 for blackberry farming, Rs 90 lakh for hybrid vegetable farming, Rs 20.01 lakh for mushroom farming and Rs 69,000 for marigold farming (for small and marginal farmers).

All these funds have been left idle in the district. However, mango and guava farming has been promoted in some cases. It is claimed that mango farming has been done in 189.1 hectares.

Moreover, funds to the tune of lakhs of rupees provided for honey bee keeping, vermin compost preparation, natural feriliser, farm ponds, spices farming and sapling nursery have not been allocated to beneficiaries.

Simanchal Swain, a farmer of Gania area said, “The government is attaching much importance on horticulture to enhance income of farmers. We heard lakhs of rupees are being provided for horticulture, but farmers are unaware of this. The department is not creating awareness about the schemes.” He also alleged that horticulture activities are shown in papers.

There is a need for review and audit on the implementation of the scheme in the district. Uddhab Sahu, a farmer of Ranpur, said the government is providing funds to promote fruit and vegetable farming, but farmers do not have any idea about it.

“Farmers are not being sensitized. A few farmers are handed out funds and in some cases funds are embezzled through false bills. Farmers are getting no benefits,” he added.

Zilla Parsihad member Nasir Ahmmed said the horticulture department is not doing its work properly. Irregularities are being committed in some projects. Investigations can unearth the facts, he added.

When contacted, deputy director of horticulture department, Muralidhar Behera said the department is doing its work properly for welfare of farming and farmers.

“If farmers come out with allegations of irregularities, they will be investigated. We are taking several steps to utilize the funds provided by the government,” he added.

PNN

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Agriculture Minister Arun Kumar has urged local authorities Monday to keep a close eye on the drought-like situation that has developed in various parts of Odisha due to the lack of rainfall. This development came after Sahoo conducted Sunday a high-level video conference with district and block level officials of the departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Water Division, Livestock Development and Fisheries

The Minister instructed the officials not to take unnecessary leaves so that they can assess the condition of crops on a regular basis with input from the farming community. Then adequate measures could be taken to prevent amid natural disasters.

Sahoo also directed the officials to keep their cell phones switched on at all times in order to ensure the timely distribution of critical information.

Officials at the block and district levels have been asked to submit statistics on irrigation facilities, rainfall, and drought conditions in their areas on a regular basis, according to the new guidelines. They have been told to hold review meetings at the block and district levels every Saturday at 5.00pm

According to the most recent Meteorological data available, Odisha has received an average rainfall of 681.9 mm, which is 30% less than the amount received between June 1 and September 5.

This monsoon season’s significant lack of precipitation has harmed agricultural activities across the state. In the last three months, 25 of Odisha’s 30 districts have suffered deficiency rainfall ranging from -59 percent to -20 percent.

According to India Meteorological Department, a state or region is reported to have received deficit rainfall when the deficiency stands at 20 per cent or more.

Keonjhar: Lakhs of rupees spent by the Horticulture department here to start a honey bee farming project at its Kuanr farm three years ago have gone down the drains as the project has proved to be a non-starter. Lack of proper maintenance is said to be the reason behind the failure of the ambitious project.

There was a time when people would buy honey collected in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj on good faith. The quality of Keonjhar honey used to be its unique selling point. Tribal people living in forests would collect the honey from trees in the forests and sell it in markets. The quality of honey was so good that it was in great demand.

However, with the passage of time, the jungles were destroyed and gave way to various developmental and mining activities. The role of timber mafia in playing a major hand in the destruction of jungles can’t also be ignored. All these factors adversely impacted the production of natural honey. In its absence, people started using packaged honey bought from markets. Even the traditional ayurvedic practitioners couldn’t get pure honey to prepare medicines.

Realising the demand for honey produced in Keonjhar and shortage of its supply, the Horticulture department decided to start honey bee farming at its Kuanr nursery. The project was started with 120 boxes three years ago.

However, these boxes have been lying unused for the last two years. Lying in the open, they are damaged. As a result, the money spent on the project has gone waste. Subsequently, the department bought boxes with bees, each costing Rs 4,500. Thus, the department had spent around Rs 5,50,000 just for purchasing boxes.

While no enquiry has been ordered to find who is responsible for the failure of project, the department is now planning to restart it once more. “Efforts are already underway,” some sources said.

Meanwhile, it has been widely discussed that appointments should be made to fill up the vacant posts in the department to look after the project. Unless new appointments are made, it would be case of throwing good money after the bad.

When contacted, deputy director of Horticulture department, Sukant ayak said that he was unable to say who were responsible for the failure of the project and the reasons that led to mismanagement because it happened prior to his posting. “Lying in the open, all the boxes are damaged. The departmental efforts are on to revive the project,” he informed.

Keonjhar: Even as many farmers don’t find paddy cultivation profitable, they switch to other farming. Some farmers in Keonjhar have taken to floriculture.

However, many of them alleged that flower cultivation fails to get government support due to which they cannot take up it as a full-time occupation.

The local market has a good demand for flowers. Traders here have to depend on flowers supplied from Kolkota to meet the demand of consumers.

Those who have been doing floriculture observed that the geo-climatic condition in some parts of Keonjhar is quite suitable for flower farming.

“If the government provides support in terms of technical know-how and finance, farmers could take up this cultivation on a large scale,” they noted.

Government support will attract more farmers to turn to flower farming and the local markets will not depend on supplies from other states, they added.

Take the example of Khetrabasi Nayak, a farmer of Manoharpur under Keonjhar block. He sells packets of flowers at Biju Chhak every morning. Nayak gets an additional earning from flower cultivation.  He has been doing this cultivation over last seven years.

“In my area, I am the only farmer doing flower cultivation. Other farmers say, there is no profit in it,” he said. He has been cultivating, marigold, sebati, mandar, tagar and rose in his farmland.

He had earned over Rs1 lakh last year by investing Rs 40,000. He plucks flowers from his land in wee hours, makes packets and sells them in local market.

“Each packet is sold for Rs 10. A kg of flower is sold for Rs 70 to Rs 80. My family members work together to grow flowers,” he added.

Some tribal farmers from remote areas are seen selling flowers in the town. Some of the tribal farmers also added that the government support can help them take up this cultivation on a large scale.

They added that the local markets have good demand for flowers. A social activist said the state government needs to promote commercial cultivation of traditional flowers to meet the increasing demand in domestic market.

Floriculture is blossoming into a viable business in this district. Purna Chandra Bala, a trader from Kolkata has been selling flowers at Deulia bazaar. He sells a kg of flower for Rs 50.

An expert pointed out that horticulture department has to formulate guidelines to promote floriculture under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

Farmers keen to do floriculture should be imparted training while the government needs to facilitate institutional credit and market linkage to promote it for the interests of farmers.

Sambalpur:  A senior officer of the Agriculture Department Wednesday interacted with farmers to collect feedback from them on the implementation of Kalia scheme, launched by the state government for the benefit of the farmers.

The deputy secretary-cum-nodal officer of Agriculture Department Gobarddhan Debta visited Sambalpur and neighbouring districts to have direct interaction with the farmers and the officials.

He discussed with the farmers the way they utilised the Kalia fund received from state government and how far it had been helpful for their financial upliftment.

Debta met farmers at Sersuantal on Sindurpank-Parmanpur road and had a long discussion with them to collect direct information from them on utilisation of Kalia funds and other problems of the farmers.

Since there was scanty rain fall at the beginning of the rainy season, he asked the farmers about the preliminary crop loss and the problems they faced there owing to the drought-like situation.

He also attended a review meeting in the office of the deputy director of agriculture where all the senior official of rest other related departments like horticulture, watershed management, soil conservation, MARKFED, Cooperative, fisheries were present.

Debta, wanted to know about the stock position of fertilisers and pesticides for the current season and asked officials to ensure that the farmers do not face any scarcity during the peak period.

He also discussed with the officers of the cooperative department regarding the agricultural loan disbursed to the farmers and any problem they faced for this particular purpose.

The Nodal officer asked the watershed management officials to meet the target.

Debta has been appointed as the Nodal officer for Sambalpur, Bargarh and Boudh districts to look after the progress in agricultural development and increasing farmers’ income in the area.

(UNI)

Baliapal: Baliapal in Balasore district is known for agriculture. But its potential for horticulture is not fully realised, particularly at a time when the government wants to augment the income of farmers through horticulture.

Reasons are many. The activities of the horticulture department have floundered due to staff and funds shortage.

Sadly, the department has no office of its own. It functions from a rented building as the administration has failed to provide land for the office.

The horticulture office has been running in a rented house for the last 15 years. On the other hand, the administration has been searching for a government land for the office for the last five years.

In the absence of a regular office, farmers are unable to get details of various schemes and programmes intended for them.

The horticulture office started functioning in broken quarters on the block premises 15 years ago. However, the quarters collapsed. As no alternative place was provided, it runs in a rented house now.

Activists said most farmers have no idea about the location of the horticulture office.

It is learnt that though the government has sanctioned funds for the office, land has not been made available till date. Of the two horticulture officers, one is in-charge of the department’s activities in Balasore Sadar, Remuna, Basta and Baliapal.

Some farmers come to the office but have to return without meeting officials.

For lack of awareness, farmers are failing to take advantage of schemes. Under the National Horticulture Mission, farmers are encouraged to cultivate banana, mango, cashew, coconut and papaya with subsidies. But farmers in 28 panchayats are deprived of such benefits, it is alleged.

Reports said Kumbhari, Nikhira, Ghantua, Asti, Baliapal, Madhupura, Jamkunda, Choumukha, Dagara and Bishnupur are suitable for cultivation of flowers, fruits and vegetables, but the department is not providing any help to farmers in this direction.

It is also alleged that no planned steps are being taken by the department to promote horticulture. “Only paddy cultivation is not enough to boost economic condition of the farmers. Geo-climatic condition of Baliapal is suitable for cultivation of mango, lemon, banana, coconut, cashew, areca nut, moringa, cabbage, potato, yam, brinjal, okra and pointed gourd,” agriculture experts said.

The department is supposed to encourage farmers to take up cultivation of flowers, fruits and vegetables to ensure them additional income. But staff shortage has plagued the department’s activities with only two officials running the show.

Officials, on the other hand, said as they are always on field visits, they have little time to stay in the office.

PNN

Digapahandi: Farmers have alleged massive irregularities in distribution of pesticides and saplings by block horticulture department at Digapahandi block in Ganjam district.

Farmers of Bajapalli, Badadumbula, Narasingpur and Gokarnapur claimed that the funds allotted in the name of farmers are misappropriated by the departmental officers.

Farmers have given a memorandum to Collector Amruta Vijya Kulnge Friday demanding a CBI probe into the misuse of funds. In the memorandum, the farmers alleged that the officials have illegally supplied the pesticides and manures to a godown at Markapadia in Gokarnapur panchayat instead of distributing them.

They told the collector that the horticulture department had planted mango and cashew nut saplings in the field of Sarathi Nayak, a resident of Bajapalli village, without informing him.

They claimed the department had produced a false bill in the name of Sarathi and misappropriated all the sanctioned money.

Collector Kulnge assured the farmers’ delegation comprising S. Ranjan Padhi, Dr. Sudhansu Dora, L. Danda Reddi, Sanjib Dora that had submitted that he would take appropriate action against those involved in the fraud as per the inspection report.

When the block horticulture department officer Sarada Pattnaik was asked about thism, he said all these allegations are baseless.

He said for mango and cashew nut cultivation in 13 hectares a total of 13,000 saplings were distributed among the farmers of the area. The allowances money of the farmers will be deposited in their accounts who have already planted the saplings in their lands.

He further clarified the labourers will be provided their dues as per the MGNAREGA guidelines. “Farmers of this area are divided into two groups. So they make such baseless allegation,” he said.

Nayagarh: Hundreds of farmers of eight blocks of Nayagarh district have accused the horticulture department of cheating and letting them down.

The angry farmers confronted Agriculture Minister Sashi Bhushan Behera during his visit to the district and narrated their ordeal. The farmers demanded immediate steps in this connection within a week.

Going through the complaints of the farmers, the minister directed the administration officials to hold a meeting with the farmers and solve the issues within one week.

According to sources, farmers of eight blocks were provided with palm saplings by the horticulture department under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in fiscal 2016-17.

At that time, the farmers were assured that they would be given Rs 2.5 lakh aid per hectare for three years. However, when they were given a mere Rs 20,000 and included in a different scheme known as MIT, the farmers felt cheated.

“First, they had said that they would provide Rs 2.5 lakh for three years under MGNREGS. However, they ignored after giving Rs 20,000 and said that the work was under MIT. Believing them, we toiled day and night for three years and they cheated us. Who will toil day and night for Rs 20,000 for three years,” a farmer said.

Demanding justice, the farmers asked the minister to take appropriate steps in this regard. Meanwhile, the officials claimed that it was government rule.

Earlier, the farmers had picketed the Deputy Director of Horticulture office, October 3, 2018. Back then, DDH Bhagirathi Pradhan had assured that steps would be taken in one week. However, no steps were taken.

Again, the farmers gheraoed the DHH office November 8, only to be left ignored again by the officials.

“The Horticulture Department is not working for the better of our farmers, but discouraging and letting us down. Had we been included in MGNREGS, the department would have paid us Rs 2.5 lakh in three years. But, they slyly put us in MIT scheme,” farmers Narayan Behera, Santosh Kumar Sahu, Gourang Pradhan and others said.

First, the officials lure farmers to take up work orders and later bungle all the assistance money and turn deaf when approached for help. This has left farmers of eight blocks in distress, the farmers complained. They alleged the administration is least bothered and not taking any steps in this regard.

After coming to know of the visit of the minister, farmers approached him and narrated their ordeal. After hearing the plight of the farmers, the minister assured them to resolve the matter within a week after talks with the officials concerned.

When contacted, DHH Pradhan assured to look into the plight of the farmers and take necessary steps as per government norms.

PNN

Baripada: The office of the deputy director of horticulture at Takatpur here in Mayurbhanj is back in the limelight for irregularities.

Earlier, funds allotted for plantation projects were embezzled and a former deputy director was found involved in the scam. The then Collector had got the irregularities probed and the official lost his job.

Now, another case of financial irregularity has come out. A woman employee of the office has misappropriated funds using forged bills, a report said.

The office of the deputy director of horticulture of Keonjhar has sent a letter (1891, dated 20/8/2018) to the office in Takatpur, stating that a woman employee (data entry operator) had prepared forged muster rolls in the names of farmers and had embezzled funds.

The woman employee was in-charge of preparing bills and releasing funds. She committed the fraud with the help of an employee of Badasahi block and some Udyan Sathis.

The office of the deputy director of horticulture of Keonjhar in its letter has recommended legal action against those involved in the fraud. But the horticulture department, instead of taking action against the woman employee, is allegedly protecting her.

The same employee was also involved in irregularities earlier, but due to lack of evidence she had escaped.

It was alleged that around Rs 4 crore was misappropriated through forged muster rolls in Badasahi block. JMM leader Kalinga Keshari Jena told the media that he has evidence about irregularities in the sapling scam.

Jena said he has over 90 FTO (fund transfer order) numbers which were forged. He warned of a stir if no action is taken against the guilty.

Deputy director of horticulture, Kanchan Mundari, said, “Misappropriation of funds is a criminal offence. After getting a letter from the Keonjhar office, an official is looking into the case. Action will be taken against those involved in it after getting the report.”

Om Prakash Rath, deputy director of Keonjhar horticulture department, said the woman employee had misappropriated funds by exploiting the confidence her higher-ups had in her.

PNN