Transport Minister K.N. Nehru on Tuesday said the Government would take steps to enable the farmers to get compensation under the agriculture insurance scheme for the cotton crop affected by the recent rains in several villages in Pullambadi block in Tiruchi district.
The Minister, accompanied by Collector T. Soundiah, Joint Director of Agriculture N. Ponnusamy and experts from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) inspected the rain-affected BT variety cotton crop raised in about 2,000 hectares in rainfed areas in Sirukalapuur, Perukalappur and Kanakiliyanallur villages in Pullambadi. Mr. Nehru said that he had instructed the Agriculture department officials and experts to take steps to revive the cotton crop wherever possible.
Mr. Nehru said that the BT variety cotton crop had been raised in about 4,000 hectares of rain-fed areas in Sirkalappur in Pullambadi block this year and pointed out that the farmers of several areas in the block met him personally and told him that cotton crop in about 2,000 hectares had been affected and pleaded for compensation from the Government.
The Minister pointed out that a team of officials from the Agriculture department and experts from TNAU submitted a report about the damage caused to the cotton crop. He told the farmers that they need not worry as a special team of Agriculture department officials would once again inspect the areas on Thursday (Dec.31).
Lalgudi MLA A. Soundarapandian, Joint Director of Agriculture N. Ponnusamy, TNAU expert Thiruvudainambi and others were also present during the inspection by the Minister.
