Bhubaneswar, Sept. 1: All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit Odisha for two days from September 10 to highlight the alleged failure of both the Centre and the state in improving the condition of farmers.

Rahul will kick off his visit by addressing "Save Farmers ( Chasi Bachao)" rally at Bargarh. Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Prasad Harichandan said: "Rahulji will also take part in a padyatra protesting against the alarming rate of farmer's suicide case."

Harichandan alleged that the condition of the farmers had deteriorated to such an extent that they were left with no option but to commit suicide. "In the past one month, three farmers have committed suicide in Bargarh district. Only three days ago, another farmer died after consuming poison. Rahul ji will himself lead the rally to highlight the farmer's plight."

However, the detailed itinerary of the tour has not been worked out so far. The PCC office is in touch with the AICC to finalise Rahul's detailed programmes in Odisha.

The PCC chief also said the party would also raise the issue of how the Naveen Patnaik government as well as the Modi-led government at the Centre had failed to bring about any change in the lives of farmers. Sources said most of the farmers, who had committed suicide, suffered crop loss and faced mounting debts.

What is a major concern for Odisha is that a drought-like situation is looming large over the state. It has received 11.5 per cent less rainfall than normal by August 29. "Odisha has received 11.5 per cent less rainfall during June-August this year," said an official.

While Odisha received 8.4 per cent more than normal rainfall in June, the rainfall was 9.3 per cent less in July and 27.2 per cent less in August. Kandhamal district was the worst affected. The rainfall shortage is likely to hit Odisha's food grain production with the target of 10.1 million tonnes for the 2015 kharif season unlikely to be met.

Sources said the state Congress has decided to start the padyatra of Rahul from west Odisha as it is still a considered a party bastion despite the BJP making some inroads into its vote bank. "The west Odisha, which is a part of the KBK area, remains an important zone for the Congress with Rahul visiting the area in the past as well," said a senior Congress leader.

In 2010, Rahul had also visited Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district and announced that he would work as a sepahi of the tribal people in New Delhi.

The Congress, which has almost been wiped out in Odisha with only 16 MLAs in the Assembly, hopes to gain some political mileage from Rahul's visit.

However, BJD spokesperson Amar Satpathy said: "The state government is concerned about farmers and has taken a number of steps to address their problems. Rahul's visit will have little impact. It will only encourage factionalism in the Congress."