Even as the farmers who suffered heavy loss when an unexpected gale uprooted several lakhs of their banana crop ten months ago are waiting for adequate compensation, the government has released a recompense of just Rs. 3 a tree.
When the gale struck a few taluks such as Palayamkottai, Ambasamudram and Nanguneri on April 14 and 15 last year, the heavy wind devastated banana crop planted on over 325 hectares. Since the growers lost the crop at the bearing stage, the loss was severe and hence the agriculturists were raising this issue in almost every farmers’ grievance day meet demanding adequate compensation of at least Rs.100 a tree. However, the State Government has allotted Rs. 23.33 lakh (a compensation of Rs. 7,500 per hectare) for banana cultivated on 311.14 hectares by 1,364 farmers of the district. And, the compensation will be credited to the beneficiary farmers’ accounts with the primary agriculture cooperative banks. In other words, a banana grower will get just Rs. 3 per damaged tree while the demand stands at Rs. 100.
President of banana growers’ confederation of Kalakkad region S. Ayyamperumal said the district witnessed destruction of over 4 lakh banana and hence the demand for Rs. 75 per tree towards compensation.
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