The south-west monsoon which was ‘anomalous’ in the state has led to a crop loss of `54.3 crore till August 3, says the estimate by the Directorate of Agriculture. The figures would go up once they are updated for the last two days during which the state experienced heavy rain.

The monsoon affected about 4469 hectares and 20143 farmers across the state, according to the estimate as per on Monday.

The heavy downpour continuing incessantly for the past few days in many parts of the state has left Wayanad district the most affected with a crop loss estimated at ` 12.98 crore and 330.72 hectares affected and leaving 3622 farmers in dire straits.

Wayanad is followed by Alappuzha district with a loss of Rs 8.88 crore affecting farming in 1791.57 hectares and 532 farmers affected.

Kottayam district stands third in the list with an estimated crop loss with ` 6.1 crore, affecting 1314 hectares and 425 farmers. The loss in Malappuram district is estimated to be Rs 5.9 crore and in Kozhikode district it is Rs 4.7 crore. The area affected in Malappuram was 281.7 hectares while in Kozhikode district it was 172.6 hectares and the number of farmers affected in these districts were 3629 and 1814 respectively. The estimated crop loss in Palakkad district was Rs 4.56 crore, area affected 198.62 hectares and farmers 1130.

Kannur and Kasargod districts suffered an estimated crop loss of ` 2.8 and ` 2.5 respectively with the area affected 89.9 and 61.3 hectares and farmers affected 3204 and 2773. In Ernakulam district, the crop loss was `2 Crore. Farming in 83.8 hectares suffered in the district affecting 729 farmers. In Idukki district, the crop loss amounted to ` 1.75 crore, area affected 61 hectares and farmers affected were 757.

The southern districts received comparatively less rainfall in the monsoon.

The Directorate proposed an assistance, as per State Disaster Response Fund norms, of ` 22.25 crore to the affected farmers.

“The assistance for farmers who have insurance coverage will be disbursed by the Agriculture Department without any delay whereas for those farmers who have no insurance cover the assistance will be given by the Revenue Department,” said R Ajith Kumar, Director of Agriculture.

Source - http://www.newindianexpress.com/