The survey on loss of perennial crops due to drought has begun in the district. It is being jointly carried out by the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture and Revenue. The officials will visit the affected fields and interact with the farmers to figure out the crop damage.
A senior official told The Hindu that drought had caused an extensive yield loss to the standing crops such as coconut, guava, mango, lime, arecanut and others. Lack of rain has compounded the drought situation.
Several trees, which were raised with groundwater, have also withered as the water table had gone down drastically. Almost all parts of the district, including canal irrigated areas, have been badly hit by drought.
Crops that have suffered more than 33% yield loss would be eligible for compensation. All trees, which had withered, and those with remote chances of surviving, would be also enumerated. They would be eligible for full compensation. The enumeration would be completed within a week.
