Did not get harvesting machine on time; farmer sets paddy sheaves on fire

ALAPPUZHA: A tragic incident unfolded in Neelamperoor, Kuttanad, where a long-time farmer, overwhelmed by mounting debt and failed harvests, set fire to his paddy sheaves in a moment of despair. On Vishu day, Sonichan, a lease farmer cultivating nearly 15 acres across three paddy fields, torched the harvested paddy after repeated setbacks made it impossible to complete the post-harvest process.

For over 25 years, Sonichan has been engaged in leased paddy farming in the region. The main blow came when he couldn't get a harvesting machine on time to reap the crop in the Pookkodi paddy field. Harvesting was scheduled for March 20, and although a machine was booked, there was no formal written agreement. The machine only arrived a week later.

By then, summer rains had flooded the field, making it impossible to harvest. Sonichan then hired 25 workers, paying Rs 1,000 each for manual harvesting. He also spent an additional Rs 10,000 to transport the harvested sheaves to the roadside. However, due to the unavailability of threshing machines, the sheaves were left to rot. With the bundles becoming soggy and decomposed, threshing became impossible. Unable to cope with the loss of weeks of hard labour, Sonichan set fire to the bundled sheaves in the field. He now plans to dry the remaining straw and use it as duck feed.

Loss of Rs 6 lakhs
Sonichan also suffered huge losses in the Pellakka and Thannookkam fields. Poor yields and high moisture content in the paddy forced him to sell to mill owners at high deductions. In the Pellakka field, where he expected 150–200 quintals from five acres, he received only 35 quintals. Poor yield, combined with high cultivation costs, has resulted in losses exceeding Rs 6 lakh.

Sonichan’s family relies entirely on paddy farming. They are also facing personal struggles — his wife suffers from mental health issues, and his two children are differently-abled and dependent on care.