KOHIMA, JULY 15: A team from the State’s agriculture department and the National Food Security, Nagaland, visited the paddy fields destroyed by spilled oil near Dzüdza river, below National Highway 29.
The team, led by Khriesezolie Kire, SMS, from Agri department, and Seyievonuo Chielie, agriculture officer from National food Security, along with their team members inspected the damage done at the paddy fields in the presence of the farmers.
The purpose of the visit was also to assess the damage and further intervene in finding an alternative to help the affected families.
Mention be made that Friday’s inspection was the first official visit by any government agency.
On the day, a group of farmers were also present at their own fields, in an effort to sow new paddy plants. This was done after removing the dead plants which were killed by the oil spillage.Replying to a query on whether the new planted paddy plants would be able to survive, Khriesezolie, who is a subject matter specialist at the agriculture department, said they will need to study more about the damage.
“As of now, it’s difficult to comment whether the new planted paddy would be able to survive. The amount of spilled oil that have entered the paddy fields is huge,” he said adding that “still the are plenty of oils deep inside the terrace fields.”
As was witnessed on the day, there were many villagers from Jostoma who volunteered themselves to assist the affected families in the effort to plant the paddy for the second time.
Knowing that it was a risk-effort from the farmers to re-sow the paddy plants, the government officials, however, were impressed and touched by the effort of the farmers who were left helpless following the act of some “irresponsible citizens”.
To this, the government officials were said to have advised the farmers to firstly push away the stagnant water inside the fields, so as to remove the oils as much as possible. They were told to go for the second plantation only after fresh water enters the fields.
According to the officials, only time will tell whether the new planted paddy will survive.
Meanwhile, it has been informed that Minister for Social Security and Welfare, Kiyanilie Peseyie, who is the MLA of the 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency, is scheduled to visit the affected fields on early Saturday morning. The minister would be accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, Rovilato Mor, representatives from NPF Farmers Wing, Nagaland and party workers, among others.
