Severe drought and heavy rains cause Rs 500 crore crop damage in Kerala; Farmers await compensation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Severe drought followed by heavy rains caused crop damage of Rs 500 crore in the state between March and June. The loss incurred in this month has not been calculated.

However, even the compensation for last year remains in arrears. The government still has to pay approximately 40 crores in compensation, including crop insurance. The agriculture department says that it will soon distribute Rs 6.2 crore to the farmers.

This year, farmers in the state suffered crop damage worth Rs 304.11 crores due to drought alone. Summer rains and the subsequent monsoons caused crop damage worth Rs 200 crore. The time to apply for monsoon crop damage compensation has been extended till 31st of this month. A clear estimate will be available only after this. The government will officially announce the amount for this year. The move is to seek central assistance. Farmers are worried that the compensation will be delayed this time as well. Three-quarters of them started farming by taking loans.

The districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Idukki, Kannur, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad were more damaged due to heavy rain. 155.5 crores was lost to paddy cultivation in Alappuzha alone.

156.65 crore in Idukki, the worst drought-hit region. Palakkad, Alappuzha, Malappuram and Kottayam districts are nearby. Banana and vegetable farmers were crying more. Cardamom and pepper farmers also suffered huge losses.

Crop destruction

Heat wave: 46,587 hectares

Heavy rainfall: 3,125 hectares

Rain affected farmers: 56,479

Drought affected: 6,479

Loss due to drought : 304.11 crores

Due to rain : 200 crores