ALAPPUZHA: The paddy farmers of Kuttanad have reasons to cheer as they may be blessed with a bumper crop this time after the huge losses they suffered in the floods in August last year. The yield could be an all-time high due to the silt deposited in the paddy fields.
In the last one-month, Supplyco has procured 2,674 metric tonnes of paddy from Kuttanad. The yield has been 2.5 metric tonnes per acre whereas the state average is 2.2 metric tonnes.
The Kuttanad farmers had launched puncha crops in 76,000 acres, at least 20,000 more compared to last season, after the floods. Procurement has begun only in two percent of the fields.
Mr. A.V. Suresh Kumar, paddy marketing officer, Supplyco, told DC that they were expecting 20,000 loads of paddy (one load =10 metric tonnes) this season compared to 11,500 loads in the previous season. The floodwater has improved the fertility of the soil resulting in the high yield. The procurement started in January is continuing in the paddy polders at Nedumudy, Karuvatta, Kizhankary, Purakad, Kochuputhankari and Venmely. The process can be finished by March 20,” he said.
The floods had hit the farmers thrice when they were about to harvest the second crops. According to the agriculture department, the crops in a 27,992-acre area were lost due to the floods and bund breach. A total of 125 bunds had been breached and 110 padasekharams were affected. At least 78, 540 complaints were received in the adalats held to estimate the crop loss in 31 centres in the districts.
C.K. Maniyan, a farmer from Kanakasery of Karinakary panchayat, said that they were expecting a good yield. Kanakassery paddy polder, which spans over 460 acres covering Valiyakari and Meenapally areas, had faced severe crop loss following bund breach. The puncha cultivation was launched in November and the harvesting is set for March 15.
“We received a compensation of Rs 5,400 per acre for crop loss. The government has offered an additional Rs 4,800 per acre for removing mud. The crop is healthy and high-yielding,” he said.
The agriculture department says a sum of Rs 32 crore has already been disbursed for crop loss. A proposal to release funds for silt-removal has been sent to the government, said Beena Natesh, principal agriculture officer.
The government has announced to pay Rs 12,000 per acre each to the farmers. Those having insurance cover will get Rs 35,000. Only 2,325 hectares of paddy fields are protected under insurance cover.
