Heightened concern over depleted water storage in the Mettur dam was voiced by farmers at the the grievances day meeting held at the Collectorate here on Wednesday.
Farmers also demanded an agricultural college at Thirukuvalai, interest-free loans and pension scheme besides drawing attention to lack of water for cultivated fields.
Kaveri Danapalan, Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, sought either a full subsidy or a subsidy of 75 per cent for all agricultural implements for farmers taking cue from Gujarat Government.
Further, commercial banks should provide interest-free loans on the lines of the co-operative loans for farmers, Mr.Danapalan said.
A demand for appointment of a member from the district in the recently constituted coconut welfare board was also made.
Apart from that farmers sought intervention of the horticultural department to aid replacement of tobacco cultivation with palm cultivation at Vedaranyam.
Kuruvai has been transplanted in over 27,313 hectares of the targeted 35,000 hectares this season.
Crop and agricultural jewel loans to the tune of Rs.421.26 crore has been disbursed to about 1,06,085 lakh farmers through co-operative banks and commercial banks.
Collector C.Munianathan presided over the meeting. V.Rajendran, District Revenue Officer and officials of the agricultural, agricultural engineering and PWD departments participated .
