Various farmers’ associations have demanded compensation for the loss caused by gale that ravaged banana orchards in the district recently.
In a memorandum to Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Puliyur A. Nagarajan, State vice-president of the Kisan-Khet Mazdoor Congress, has submitted that banana orchards raised on several acres of land in her constituency (Srirangam), including Andanallur and Manikandam panchayat unions, have been hit by drought and gale.
Besides, banana prices have plummeted.
“The farmers who have spent Rs 1.5 lakh an acre are distraught,” he added.
He appealed to her to hear farmers during her proposed visit to Srirangam on June 3. He sought a relief package of at least Rs. 1 lakh an acre.
Besides, crop loans obtained from all the banks should be written off.
C. Masilamani, district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangham, in a memorandum to Collector Jayashree Muralidharan, said drought and gusty winds had affected crops on thousands of acres of land in Thiruverumbur panchyat union and banana orchards in Andanallur, Manachanallur, Lalgudi, and Thottiyyam areas.
Hence, the State government should grant them relief taking the cultivation cost into account and write off the loans obtained by the banana growers.
