Farmers in Ramanathapuram’s Kadaladi seek relief after 5,000 acres of paddy crops withered due to erratic rainfall and drought conditions
Farmers Demand Relief for Damaged Crops
Farmers from M. Saveriyarpattanam and nearby villages near Kadaladi submitted a petition to District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon. They made this request during a public grievance meeting on Monday.
Holding withered paddy crops, the farmers asked for relief assistance. Nearly 5,000 acres of crops have dried up due to a lack of rain.
In the M. Saveriyarpattanam area of Maranthai revenue village, heavy rains in September initially damaged young paddy seedlings. The surviving crops grew for a while, but a severe lack of rainfall since December caused them to wither.
The affected farmers urged the Collector to conduct a thorough survey and provide appropriate compensation. Francis, a farmer from the village, said, “Since our village lacks lake or irrigation facilities, most farmers rely entirely on seasonal monsoons.”
He added, “Over the past few years, we have been cultivating paddy, chili, and cotton by taking out bank loans.” This year, they faced heavy rains at the start and then no rain during the growth stage, causing the paddy to wither.
“We have spent between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 per acre and are now facing heavy losses,” he stated. He noted that across Maranthai and surrounding villages, 5,000 acres of paddy had been destroyed.
This situation has left farmers unable to repay their gold loans and agricultural loans. Mr. Francis requested officials to take action to waive their loans and provide necessary compensation and relief.
Summary of Crop Damage
| Location | Crops Affected | Area Damaged (Acres) | Cost per Acre (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M. Saveriyarpattanam | Paddy | 5,000 | 10,000 – 20,000 |
