Farmers demand Theni district be declared drought-hit

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Collector R. Vaithinathan addresses the farmers grievance meeting held at the Collectorate in Theni.

With waterbodies drying up and agricultural activities being affected as a result, the farmers of Theni district on Friday demanded that the district be declared as drought-hit.

They raised the demand at the farmers grievance redress meeting held at the Theni Collectorate. The meeting was presided over by Theni Collector R. Vaithinathan.

The farmers complained that 95 irrigation tanks had dried up in the region. They urged the authorities to provide appropriate compensation for the loss. Due to lack of water inflow in Varahanadhi and Manjalar, they said they were unable to carry out agricultural activities.

Farmers at their grievance redressal meeting held at the Collectorate in Theni.

A section of the farmers complained about bunchy top disease affecting crops particularly plantains. They also complained that wild animals were damaging the crops. They said the authorities should take necessary steps to protect the livelihood of the farmers.

They demanded that necessary steps should be taken to prevent the outbreak of diseases that could affect sugarcane cultivation in the district. Training should be provided to farmers on producing bio-control agents, they said.

They demanded that all agricultural produce should be procured directly by the government to ensure fair prices. Some of the other issues raised by the farmers at the meeting included the demand to fully waive crop loans.

The farmers urged the authorities to properly maintain the veterinary hospital in Rayappanpatti and conduct regular camps. They complained that garbage was being dumped on the hospital premises. The farmers also demanded the proper implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. They urged the authorities to remove the encroachments from waterbodies.

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