ALAPPUZHA: With the unexpected torrential rain lashing the district, Kuttanad is witnessing hectic harvesting and farming activities. Out of the second crops in around 12,500-hectare paddy fields, more than 5000 hectares got harvested. The Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation procured around 2,200 loads (one load is ten metric tonne) of paddy till last week. “The department also distributed paddy receipt sheets (PRS) to some 500 farmers. They will get the payment from banks on the PRS as a loan, and the state will bear the interest,” said A. V. Suresh Kumar, a senior paddy marketing officer.
The harvesting has entered the final stage under Edathua, Thakazhi, Karuvatta, Neelamperoor and Veliyanad agriculture offices. It got underway in Nedumudi, Kainakary and Champakulam, which is expected to complete by December 15. Meanwhile, the recurring rain is hampering the procurement, and many farmers are keeping their produce on the polders, covered by plastic sheets to avoid wetting. Panchayat level committees have been set up for resolving the issues after differences between the procurement agencies and farmers became common. Panchayat president, agriculture officer, paddy marketing officer, officials of civil supplies corporation and Padasekhra Samithi members are on the committee.
