Delta farmers seek special relief package as Kuruvai loss threatens incomes in TN
Chennai, June 30
With water storage in the Mettur dam forcing a sharp decline in short-term paddy cultivation this season, farmers in the Cauvery Delta have urged the Tamil Nadu government to announce a special relief package and provide scientific guidance on alternative crops to help offset mounting losses.
The demand comes after Food Minister P. Venkatramanan, during his recent visit to the Delta region, advised farmers to shift to alternate crops in view of the limited water availability.
While welcoming the suggestion, farmer organisations said such a transition could succeed only if it is backed by financial assistance, technical support and a clear cultivation strategy.
According to farmer representatives, the failure to undertake kuruvai cultivation this year is expected to result in an income loss of nearly ₹1,125 crore across the Delta districts. They warned that the impact would extend beyond paddy farmers, as the absence of kuruvai would also lead to a severe shortage of paddy straw, the primary source of fodder for cattle, thereby affecting the livestock sector.
Swamimalai Sundara Vimalnathan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, said the government's advice on alternate crop cultivation was appropriate under the prevailing circumstances but stressed that farmers required timely guidance before taking up new crops.
He urged the State government to convene a joint meeting of agricultural experts, officials and farmer representatives to identify crops that are suitable for the current water availability and local soil conditions.
Such consultations, he said, would help farmers make informed decisions and minimise the risk of crop failure.
Farmer organisations also called for a comprehensive special package covering input subsidies, quality seeds, fertilisers and extension support to encourage farmers to adopt alternative crops.
They said many farmers were reluctant to shift cultivation without assurances on profitability, market access and government support.
The uncertainty surrounding the release of Cauvery water and the low storage level in the Mettur reservoir have already disrupted plans for the kuruvai season, one of the most important short-term paddy crops cultivated in the Delta.
Farmers said immediate intervention by the government was essential to protect rural livelihoods, prevent large-scale financial losses and ensure that agricultural activity continues despite the water shortage.
They maintained that with proper planning, expert guidance and adequate financial assistance, farmers could successfully diversify cultivation this season and reduce the economic impact of the curtailed kuruvai crop.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Sad to see this again. Every year the same story - kuruvai gets threatened, and farmers are left scrambling. Why can't we have a permanent drought contingency plan? The loss of ₹1,125 crore is huge, and it's not just paddy - cattle rearers will suffer from straw shortage too. A comprehensive plan needed. 😔
Finally some acknowledgment from the minister about alternative crops. But farmers are not corporate farmers - they need handholding during transition. Subsidies, quality seeds, fertilizer support, and guaranteed market access - that's what will make them shift from paddy. Good advice without financial backing is just empty words.
The government should convene that joint meeting ASAP involving scientists, officials, and farmers. Our farmers are intelligent but risk-averse when it comes to new crops. Scientific guidance on what else can grow in low water conditions - like pulses, millets, or oilseeds - could save this season. But needs to happen now, not later!
The minister's visit and advice are welcome, but I hope this is not just a photo-op. Farmers are already facing huge losses - they don't need political speeches. They need immediate financial relief and a clear path forward. A special package must cover input subsidies and ensure MSP for alternative crops. Otherwise, this will be another broken promise.
As someone from the delta region, I see the anxiety in farmers' eyes. Paddy is not just a crop for us - it's identity, it's tradition. But water is a harsh reality. The government's idea of alternative crops is good, but only if they provide insurance
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