ES Reporter 

NAMSAI, Aug 8: Farmers in Namsai district are facing a drought-like situation with paddy fields drying out and scores of households running behind the sowing season reportedly due to less rainfall this year.
The situation is more or less the same at several places of the state as rainfall has been significantly lower than normal. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that Arunachal Pradesh has received deficient rainfall in June and till the third week of July which is 35 % less than normal, as on July 26.
"The whole district is facing a shortage of rainfall this sowing season due to which villagers are helpless and unable to continue their cultivation. The saplings for paddy have also dried up due to scanty rainfall, creating a drought-like situation," said Gaon Burah of New Lathao Village, Chow Milingta Manpoong.
Each year around this time, residents get busy with post sowing feasts but this year uncertainty looms over the local villages.
Alarmed by the vulnerable situation, farmers have reached out to the state government and sought necessary assistance and compensation including a permanent bore-well in the village to be used for cultivation in drought-like situations.
"I appeal to the local MLA and concerned authority to look into the situation, as agriculture is the only primary source of the villagers. Many have  taken loans, many are dependent on their crops for meeting their children’s education. If no help comes then it will be a very distressful situation," lamented the Gaon Burah.
Earlier, local MLA Namsai, Chau Zingnu Namchoom also expressed his concern over the situation. On his social media account, the MLA wrote "Lekang & Namsai is facing dry fields dilemma due to a deficit in rainfall & as the season for the paddy transplantation will end in mid August, the farmers are facing many challenges in carrying out their agricultural activities."
Concerned about the situation, I have discussed the matter with Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju, Chief Minister  Pema Khandu, DCM Chowna Mein , State Agriculture Minister Tage Taki , Secretary  Disaster Management  Dani Salu. I have also instructed DC & DAO , concerned officers of the District to assist the agricultural sector of Namsai, the MLA said.
As per reports, Minister for Agriculture & Horticulture, Tage Taki has called for a meeting with all the  District  Agriculture Officers and other related officers to discuss about the prevailing drought-like situation in the state on August 10 next.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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