The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology has issued an all-around advisory to support farmers in reducing damage to crops in view of the India Meteorological Department's prediction that Cyclone Dana is rapidly approaching the Odisha coast. According to a series of dos and don'ts, the advisory strongly reminds the farmers to protect the Kharif crops and vegetables at this crucial juncture.

Paddy covers a significant area under kharif crops and is now ready. The early variety of paddy must be reaped. Its maturity has risen up to about 85%. The grains that are threshed should be stored in a safe place. If possible, separate the grains from the crop by threshing. Freshly harvested crops should be covered by polythene to keep it dry, as threshing would have to be done immediately. For medium and long-duration paddy crops, more water may need to be drained since lodging begins to occur. Dig drainage channels around the plants three feet apart if the plants lodge. The lodge can be straightened to prevent panicle rot in emerged panicles.

Given the presence of heavy rainfall, which may increase the chances of cutworm infestation during late rice, the advisory directs the establishment of plant protection measures in terms of application of chlorpyrifos in a concentration of 2 ml per liter of water.

In regard to pulses and oilseed crops, drains to be opened and matured pods picked from the fields in time so that viviparous germination may not occur. Harvested pods are to be dried and threshed for safe storage. The advisory also cautioned that heavy rainfall may increase the instances of pest attacks on pre-rabi pulses. It advised farmers to follow guidelines issued by the local agriculture officials or Krishi Vigyan Kendras for plant protection measures.

The directorate also guides the farmers to drain out extra water from vegetable fields and to begin nursery re-sowing if seedlings get damaged by cyclone. Sowing and planting of rabi crops must be halted until the situation gets better.

With these steps in mind, farmers can all be better prepared for the threatening cyclone and hence save their source of livelihood.