ALAPPUZHA: The summer showers in the last couple of days have affected the paddy crop in at least 600 acres in upper Kuttanad. The paddyfields of some 200 farmers were inundated and they have been trying to drain out the water using heavy hoses and centrifugal pumps. The matured crops in 500 acres of Chennithala and Mannar paddy polders and 100 acres of Veeyapuram, Erathodu block and Edayodi were lost when the farmers were all set to reap the harvest next week. Mr Stephen Thomas, secretary, joint paddy polders committee, said that the crops in 11 blocks in Chennithala were damaged fully and that in Mannar west, Kudavellari, AB Azhiyodi, Vezhathar, Edayadi, Edapuncha and Naluthodu partially.
The harvesting machines cannot be made operational in water-logged fields. Sickle sawing is not economical for fallen crops. The agencies procure only dry crops, he said. The harvesting has become difficult in water-logged Kuttanad. The farmers bring the harvested crops to safe places employing additional working force and spending more money. Mr A.G. Abdul Kareem, principal agricultural officer, said the department was aware of the situation. "If there is no respite from summer rain in the coming days, the farmers may land in serious trouble," he said.
Traditionally, the harvesting season here begins in January and ends in April. ‘Puncha’ cultivation in Kuttanad is spread over 35,000 hectares in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts. A farmer who does ‘puncha’ cultivation in his own land has to spend at least Rs 22,000 to Rs 24,000 per acre. But those who do it in leased land will incur Rs 32,000 to Rs 34,000 per acre. If a farmer gets good crop, he will get at least Rs 37,500 per acre. Fr Thomas Peelianickal, executive director, Kuttanad Vikasan Samithy, an NGO, has demanded compensation for the distressed farmers. They will conduct a dharna at Mankombu on Saturday.
