The total paddy production in Pathanamthitta district this year has been put at 8,143 tonnes, which is 94 tonnes less compared to the previous year.
Sources told The Hindu that 7,062 tonnes came from the upper Kuttanad villages of Niranom, Kadapra, Kuttoor, Nedumpram, and Peringara in Thiruvalla taluk.
It was a bumper harvest this year due to conducive climatic conditions, they added.
Farmers had to discontinue cultivation in nearly 600 acres in upper Kuttanad due to various reasons, which has been attributed to the shortfall in production.
The peasants could not launch cultivation in 400 acres in Niranom panchayat due to the renovation work in the Niranathu-Thadom canal.
Target set
District panchayat member Sam Eapen, who is also the Upper Kuttanad Nelkarshaka Samiti president, said the district had set a target of 10,000 tonnes next year.
The Civil Supplies Corporation procured 8,143 tonnes of paddy from 1,615 hectares in the district at the rate of Rs 21.50 a kg this year. Of this, Rs.14.10 was the Central government’s share, with the State footing the rest Rs. 7.40.
“Though the farmers have received the Central share of Rs.11.55 crore, the State government is yet to release its share of Rs. 5.95 crore to the farmers,” Mr Eapen said.
