Heavy rains that lashed the district since Saturday has brought disaster to the farmers in Kuttanad. Paddy fields have been inundated at several places.
Poonthuram Padasekhara Samithy secretary Bhuvanachandran told The Hindu that over 200 acres of paddy fields in the North Punnapra panchayat have come under water due to a breach in the bund. Water from the Pampa gushed into the fields through the breach, immersing the entire area under cultivation. Paddy was sown 20 days ago and the entire crop has been lost. “More than Rs.10,000 per acre has been spent so far for the cultivation and the entire effort and money have been lost,” he said.
It will not be possible for farmers to begin farming operations afresh after the water gets drained out, primarily due to lack of finance. “Unless the government comes up with immediate relief measures, the farmers will be forced to skip the current crop, again resulting in loss of their sole revenue source,” he said.
The farmers have always been at the receiving end of the vagaries of nature. The government agencies too have added to their woes by delaying the payment of procurement price of paddy. Arrears amounting to several lakhs of rupees have not been paid to the farmers.
The government machinery has not been able to disburse the sums on time and farmers have been demanding a revolving fund to meet their requirements.
Despite promises, the farmers do not get the funds on time, causing delay in farming operations.
