The farmers in Sundargarh district have demanded that the district be declared as "drought hit" and urged the state government to extend all help to the poor farmers.

The farmers under the banner of "Orissa Farmers Association" staged a rally before the office of the local Additional District Magistrate (ADM) here yesterday and submitted a 20-point charter of demands to the state government.

The farmers association led by its Sundargarh district secretary, Jadumani Mohapatra has demanded that the farmers families in the district be provided 35 kg of rice at the rate of Rs 2/- per kg as they lost their crop due to scanty rainfall this year. The association has also demanded among others that the tribals should be issued "Pattas" (land rights) seeds and fertiliser should be provided to the farmers at a concessional rate.

Similar protest was held by thousands of farmers of Lahunipada block demanding fertiliser to save their crop which was delayed due to late rainfall in Lahunipada block of the district.