Dryland farmers seek draught declaration for northern Thoothukudi taluks

Citing a sharp decline in crop yield due to inadequate monsoon last year, rain-fed agriculture farmers from the northern part of Thoothukudi district submitted petitions at the farmers’ grievance redressal meeting, demanding that rain-fed agriculture regions of Thoothukudi district be declared as drought affected and relief be provided.

The meeting chaired by Collector K. Elambahavath was held at the Collectorate on Thursday.

Hundreds of farmers from Kovilpatti, Vilathikulam and Ettayapuram and Kayathar taluks raised their demands, stating that insufficient rainfall in rain-fed agriculture areas has led to acute water scarcity and affecting the yield of black gram, green gram, maize and other crops cultivated in the region.

The farmers also alleged that officials had reported inflated rainfall data for the district, demanding that rain-fed agriculture lands in these taluks must be declared drought hit and that appropriate relief be granted.

Villikseri K. Premkumar, president of Thennaga Maanavari Vivasayikal Sangam said, “In these areas 60% of the yield has been affected due to inadequate rainfall. Due to this, many farmers in these regions are affected by heavy losses.”

Responding to this Mr. Elambahavath said that rainfall figures were calculated based on data from both automatic and manual rain gauges and there was no discrepancy. He noted that southern parts of the district such as Tiruchendur, Udangudi and Sathankulam had received higher rainfall, while northern regions had received less.

He added that detailed assessment would be conducted on average rainfall requirements, actual rainfall received, drought criteria and crop yield levels in four northern taluks. “If conditions were found to qualify as drought, the district administration would recommend it to the government,” he said.

At the meeting farmers also raised several other concerns including distribution of flood relief funds to all eligible farmers, government fixation and procurement of maize at MSP price, immediate supply of fertilizers to Sathankulam region and measures to prevent recurring wild boar attacks on farmers.

Addressing the grievances, Mr. Elambahavath said that farmers had shifted over 10,000 hectares from other crops to maize and that similar trends in the district led to price drop. He further assured that flood relief funds would be provided to all farmers and fertilizers would be sent immediately to Sathankulam region.

District Revenue Officer A. Ravichandran, District Forest Officer M. Ilayaraja, Joint Director of Agriculture Krishnakumar and other officials were present.