Farmers from Thoothukudi district are calling for the immediate disbursement of crop relief assistance for the losses they incurred during the 2024 northeast monsoon.
Widespread rainfall in the Thoothukudi district during the 2024 monsoon season severely impacted the crops during their flowering and harvesting stages. Despite the persistent follow-ups, farmers say they received compensation for the 2023 losses only after a delay of nearly one year. With the next monsoon aset to begin in a few months, there is a growing concern that history may repeat itself. Farmers are now urging the authorities to haste the relief process to avoid further setbacks.
Crops such as black gram, green gram, chilli, coriander, shallots, banana and paddy were among the affected crops from the district. A. Varadharajan, Prescient of Karisal Framers’ Association noted that the farmers had invested around ₹20,000 per acre on land preparation, fertilisation, pest control and other cultivation needs. He added that although damage assessment surveys were conducted by officials earlier this year, the delay in fund sanctioning has left the farming community worried, as many of them are entirely dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.
