The woes of Kuttanad farmers continue as they suffered huge losses due to heavy rain and strong winds that lashed on Sunday night.

Paddy cultivation in hundreds acres fell prey to the heavy downpour in Kainakari, Kavalam, Thakazhi, Edathua, Chambakkulam and other panchayats in the area.

Puthanarayiram padasekhra samithi secretary Joy said that heavy winds which lashed on Sunday night destroyed paddy in hundreds of acres in Kainakari and nearby panchayats.

The farmers here have been employing the use of combined harvesters for harvesting grain. Now that the paddy has fallen, the harvester cannot be used to scoop up the paddy. So huge manpower will be needed to reap the fallen paddy,” Joy said.

Kuppapuram Padasekhra Samithi secretary Raju said that, “We have lost hundreds of acres of paddy cultivation in Kuppapuram and nearby areas.

“The golden crops that were on the threshold of harvest have fallen flat in the rain coupled with strong winds. Many of the paddy fields have also been inundated. So, paddy will start sprouting in the wet condition and this will lead to its destruction,” he said.

Raju said that in the last season farmers had to encounter a problem of a different kind as they suffered huge losses due to saline water intrusion and heat.

At the time of farming, the heavy floods also affected farming to a large extent. Many acres of paddy were also lost due to breaching of bunds. Due to sudden floods, cultivation could not be carried out in vast areas of Kuttanad.

“We carried out farming after overcoming many hurdles and natural vagaries. But the rain and wind have landed farmers in trouble again,” he said.

Agricultural Department deputy director A G Karim said that, “Reports about the losses have not reached agricultural offices in the respective panchayats. The isolated rain and wind have not inflicted much damage to the paddy cultivation. If the paddy has fallen, the modern combined harvesters can be employed.

“If rains continue with unabated fury in the coming days, it will make matters worse and affect the cultivation, because paddy fields are submerged in water and harvesters cannot be utilised for reaping.”

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