The Ponni paddy crop standing on about 500 acres in the Panaimarathupatti and surrounding villages in the district have been affected by the mysterious ‘Yaanaikomban’ disease.
The farmers of this area who brought this to the notice of the authorities at the monthly farmers grievances day meeting, called upon the State Government to provide adequate compensation to the affected farmers.
A.R. Shanmugam of Panaimarathupatti, member of the District Agricultural Production Committee, raising this issue and said that nurseries were raised by the farmers of Poolampatti, Koodakkal, Kuppanur, Molapparai villages with the seeds procured from the Government seeds depot.
The disease has attacked the crop 70 days after transplantation, causing much anxiety to the farmers.
Mr. Shanmugam and M. R. Natesan, State General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Yezhai Vivasayigal Sangam, displayed the affected paddy to K. Maharabushanam, Collector, who presided over the meeting.
Mr. Natesan also presented a petition urging the Collector to inspect the affected fields and recommend adequate compensation to the affected farmers. The Collector directed the agriculture department officials to take steps to study the situation.
R. P. Ramasamy, district president, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said that despite monsoon rainfall, the Vasishtanadhi river remains dry, leading to acute water scarcity in Attur block. He said that two dams – Puzhudikuttai dam near Belur and Kariakovil dam in Pappanaickenpatti, have been retaining the water which should have been let into Vasisthanadhi river.
As per the government guidelines, water could be retained in these dams only to a level of ten feet. Now the Kariakovil dam has more than 30 feet water, Mr. Ramasamy said and demanded the immediate release of the same in the Vasishtanadhi river.
C. Vaiyapuri, president of the United Farmers Association of Tamil Nadu, said that the work of extending the Thalaivasan market has remained suspended following court orders.
The district administration should take steps to vacate the stay.
Sundaram of Vaiyappamalai said that the State Government fixed a procurement price of Rs. 2,650 per tonne of cane in 2013-14. While the cooperative sugar mill is providing the government price to the farmers, a private sugar mill is refusing to pay the government fixed prize, he complained.
He also brought to the notice of the authorities about the non release of subsidy to the farmers who adopted drip irrigation system in the year 2013-14.
The Collector should draw the attention of the horticulture department officials for the same. Officials assured that the subsidy will be released to the farmers by February.
Perumal of Puliankurichi said that paddy crop is ready for harvest and pleaded for opening of direct procurement centres in the district.
Vetrimani of Kottavadi said that PWD has already got notification for the holding of elections for the Ayacutdars Association. The elections should be conducted in a proper manner.
The disease has attacked the crop