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Chennai, Nov 3 (IANS) As the Kuruvai harvest is nearing in the Cauvery delta, the paddy procurement process is also about to be completed under the strict supervision of district collectors.
Officials said more than 90 per cent of the Kuruvai crop has been completed in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts – where 1.99 lakh acres, 1.91 lakh acres, 97,727 acres and 74,667 acres were cultivated respectively this season.
Following widespread complaints from farmers about delays in procurement, the number of Direct Procurement Centers (DPCs) was increased. Each center was instructed to purchase 2,000 to 3,000 bags of paddy daily.
Collectors personally inspected the DPCs in all Delta districts, ensuring smooth transportation of the purchased stock to the warehouses. Officials were directed to stop hoarding in front of procurement centres, and more than 90 per cent of the procured paddy has already been taken to storage points.
The state also faced shortage of gunny bags and jute yarn, triggering emergency procurement from West Bengal. Of the two crore bags ordered, 54 lakh arrived by rail from Kolkata to Thanjavur and Kumbakonam on Sunday, reducing disruption in packing and transportation.
However, farmers are very frustrated with the losses incurred due to delays and poor planning.
Due to intermittent northeast monsoon rains, paddy stacks kept outside the DPC at many places started sprouting, causing major financial problems.
Delta farmers have demanded compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre for the loss.
Farmer union leader KM Selvaraghavan said, “Out of 6.13 lakh acres of Kuruvai cultivation, about 30 per cent of the crop ready for harvesting got submerged in rain water and was destroyed. 10-20 per cent of the harvested paddy germinated due to incessant rains. Poor procurement speed and lack of contingency planning have led to huge losses.”
About 60,000 acres of standing samba and thaladi crops have also been damaged by the rains, he said.
“Farmers have mortgaged jewelery or borrowed money to cultivate their land, but the government is still following the old 33 per cent loss assessment method. This has to be changed – Rs 40,000 per acre should be paid as compensation,” he said.
Farmers also alleged that despite the Chief Minister’s interactions with Delta district collectors, the focus was only on the quantum of procurement – not on addressing practical issues such as reduction in moisture, prevention of rain damage, or delays in transportation. He said repeated appeals on these issues, including bribery and logistics problems, were ignored, leaving them vulnerable once again during the monsoon procurement cycle.
–IANS
AL/DPB