MADURAI: Farmers in many parts of the southern districts, who have been expecting a bountiful harvest after nearly two decades, are in shock after rain started lashing the districts for the last few days.
The strong south-west monsoon has soaked harvestready paddy on the fields and the harvested stock kept at the procurement centres.
Farmers fear that the paddy will start sprouting in the coming days.
Paddy procurement centres are opened by the government to procure paddy in places where it is cultivated on a large scale.
But, farmers have to make a representation for this based on their production.
This year, farmers cultivated in summer, and when they were ready for the harvest, rain started lashing the southern districts.
“Only, if there is no rain for the next ten days, we can save our paddy,” said Sundaram, a farmer from Thirumangalam.
Chellampatti union chairman N V P Raja says that Chellampatti in Madurai has 6,500 acres of paddy cultivation.
“This year, there was a delay in opening the procurement centres because functionaries from the DMK want proper representation in the centres.
But there was a lack of expertise and experience in establishing these centres,” he said.
Out of the 6,500 acres in their region, paddy was harvested in 500 to 800 acres and was taken to the procurement centres.
But, lack of proper storage facilities has led to bags of paddy getting drenched in the recent rain.
TN farmers in distress as paddy sacks get drenched in rain
