Management skill of the farmers in flood and cyclone disaster in Balasore district

Abstract

Disaster refers to a serious disruption of the functioning of a society, causing widespread human, material, or environmental loss, which exceeds the ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources. In other words, it is the occurrence of a sudden calamity that disrupts the basic fabric and normal functioning of a society. Balasore district is a land of rivers, rivulets, drainage etc. and agriculture is its predominant Occupation. This district has been experiencing Natural Calamities since times immemorial. Cyclonic storms, inundation of land by floods and severe tidal waves from the Bay of Bengal are common features of this district. Besides, continuous torrential rain coupled with thunder storms add to the miseries of the people. There is constant worry at all levels to fight against these adversities. In order to alleviate the distress condition of people, to protect their habitat & their domestic animals that are always badly hit every year. A Study was undertaken with the objective to find out the management skill of different categories of farmers in managing disaster situation like Flood and Cyclone in Balasore district, Odisha. A total of 90 farmers were selected for the purpose of accomplishing the objective of the study. Interview Schedule has been prepared in context of the purpose of the present study. It was revealed from the study that the management skill of total farmers was highest on appropriateness in the time of fertilizer application and lowest on taking of contingency crop. The other disaster situation which got the intermediate position in order of rank were Taking decisions knowing the consequences, Appropriateness in the time of beushaning in flood, Dependency in weather report, Ability to take new crop, Appropriateness method of gap filling, Type of crop taken after flood, Prepare of next crop taken after flood, Method used for quick germination seeds, Consultation with concerned officials, Solving the situation by sharing ideas with each other’s, Precautions taken for maximum utilization of fertilizer by the plant, Using of proper type of land for seedling raising, Developing nursery for fresh transplantation, Cooperative community action, Use of Submerged varieties, Crop insurance, Use of low cost of fertilizer after flood, Precaution taken for cyclone respectively.