Farmers’ association say paddy crops on about 8,000 acres of land are in danger; they have also demanded stern action against those involved in smuggling fertilizers in Kovilpatti.

Farmers associations have urged the authorities to release water into vadakaal canal’s irrigation area to save the withering paddy crops on 8,000 acres of land in the region. The issue was raised at the farmers grievance meeting held in Thoothukudi on Thursday. District Collector K. Elambahavath presided over the meeting

Several petitions were submitted by the farmers in the district were taken up at the meeting. One of the key demands was the immediate release of water into the vadakaal canal in Srivaikuntam region to protect paddy crops that are suffering due to severe water scarcity in the region. They urged the Public Works Department officials to inspect the spot and release water immediately to save the crops.

Key demands

Farmers demanded stringent action against those involved in smuggling fertilizers in Kovilpatti and called for the removal of Prosopis Juliflora in farmlands and waterbodies to improve soil quality and water retention. They requested the establishment of direct paddy procurement centres at Karungulam to facilitate better market access for their produce. Additionally, farmers sought tarpaulins at subsidised rate for black gram harvesting.

Farmers associations called for long-pending disbursement of onion crop insurance compensation for the 2023-24 fiscal year and called for desilting and strengthening of canals supplying water to Sadayaneri tanks to ensure the maximum water storge capacity.

The Collector encouraged farmers to create farm ponds on their land to store rainwater in December and use it in January and February. He said Thoothukudi was one of the leading districts in Tamil Nadu for maize cultivation but water shortage led to reduced yields.

Mr. Elambahavath outlined steps taken to boost agricultural productivity, including plans to increase coconut cultivation by setting up more coconut nurseries. Similarly, banana cultivation would be promoted through new varieties developed at Banana Research Centre at Killikulam Agricultural College. Regarding the request for a direct paddy procurement centre, he clarified that Karungulam lacked sufficient paddy cultivation and instead the authorities were considering Serakulam for the purpose. Furthermore, he urged the insurance company to expedite the settlement of onion crop insurance claims.

E.R. Periyasamy, Joint Director of Agriculture, Thoothukudi, and Designated Officer of Food Safety Department S. Mariappan were present.

Source - https://www.thehindu.com