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Chennai, Oct 28 (IANS) Farmers in the Cauvery delta are grappling with massive crop losses as rainwater has accumulated in thousands of acres of paddy fields, threatening both harvested kuruvai and standing samba crops.
He has urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide enhanced compensation of Rs 35,000 per acre after prompt and transparent damage assessment.
According to the All Farmers Association Coordination Committee, more than one lakh acres of Kuruvai farms in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts remain submerged. Standing samba crops in about 50,000 acres have also been affected and there is no sign of the water receding any time soon.
Farmers say they have been forced to hire motors at their own expense to drain out the stagnant water so that what little can be saved can be saved.
Coordination committee chairman PR Pandian said the situation was particularly serious in parts like Arasur and Illyur in Tiruvarur district.
“Samba crops have started rotting in waterlogged fields. Even the harvested Kuruvai stock has suffered damage due to the rains as the procurement process is very slow. Collection is being delayed at many direct procurement centers (DPCs) due to shortage of gunny bags. The state government should take full responsibility for the loss and expedite relief,” he said.
Pandian estimated that around two lakh metric tonnes of paddy was left unstored in Tiruvarur district alone, with similar situation in surrounding districts.
He urged the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) to immediately transport the high moisture paddy and increase procurement on war footing to prevent further spoilage of the paddy.
The farmer leader also called for preparing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for paddy procurement to avoid recurrence of this crisis in future.
He alleged that due to lack of monitoring, mismanagement is taking place in the transportation of purchased paddy. “Lorry operations are not under the direct control of TNCSC officials but are being directed by contractors. This has to change if the system has to become accountable,” Pandian said.
–IANS
AL/DPB