Farmers demand compensation for crop loss

Farmers have urged the district administration to give due compensation to those agriculturists who have suffered crop loss due to the recent downpour. Raising the issue in the monthly grievance meeti

Farmers have urged the district administration to give due compensation to those agriculturists who have suffered crop loss due to the recent downpour.

Raising the issue in the monthly grievance meeting held here on Thursday, Krishnamurthy of Tamil Nadu Vivasaayigal Sangam said the district had received excess rainfall against the average precipitation during the northeast monsoon. Since the abnormal downpour had caused extensive damage to the crops, the administration should conduct proper survey to assess the quantum of the destruction caused by the recent rain. Collector K. Senthil Raj replied that the ongoing survey would be completed soon.

When Mr. Krishnamurthy complained that the farmers were running from pillar to post for buying certified sunflower seeds, Joint Director of Agriculture Mohideen said production of hybrid sunflower seeds in the State and in ‘supplier States’ like Karnataka and Maharashtra had been badly hit due to rain. “Since the farmers prefer the hybrid sunflower seeds, which are not available anywhere in this region, we cannot supply them to the cultivators this year,” he said. The Collector asked the officials to ensure vailability of hybrid sunflower seeds at least during next year.