Dimapur, Aug. 17 (EMN): Highlighting the plight of farmers caused by drought-like situation in Aghunaqa and Khaghaboto under Niuland district, the Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) has appealed to the concerned department to undertake verification and provide financial assistance to the genuine affected farmers.
In a representation to the minister of Agriculture, WSYF has sought the intervention of the Agriculture minister to look into the grievances of the farming community of Aghunaqa and Khaghaboto, who were affected by scanty rainfall during the year 2021-2022.
“Farmers in the said areas are deeply worried with the scanty rainfall this year even after the onset of monsoon which arrived late,” WSYF president, Mughavi Awomi, and the general secretary, Bohoi Yeptho, stated in a joint statement.
The rainfall being the major factor in the sowing/ planting growth and production of food crops, WSYF stated that late arrival of monsoon and the insufficient rainfall has left farming community in huge distress. It claimed that farmers in the said areas have witnessed massive agricultural crop loss this year (not to talk about the pandemic situation that began last year) due to scanty rainfall while adding that farmers are already finding it extremely difficulties to cope with the changes since almost all crops are season-dependent and rainfall-dependent.
“Staple food production being dependent on direct rain-fed agriculture, the current situation spells doom for the farming community under the aforesaid jurisdiction since the area is witnessing long dry spells comparing to others parts of the state.
While a drought-like situation was sounded by the state government, it is being brought to light that the said area is worst-hit and the farming community is already experiencing drought since all their agricultural crops have failed to survive and are starting at dried fields. Hunger looms large for their farming community,” the statement read.
In the light of the above stated circumstances, WSYF fervently requested the minister concerned to declare drought in the said area and take necessary steps in the interest of the affected farmers. It further requested to pass necessary orders directing the Agriculture department and Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority to depute their staffs for on-spot verification.