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Coimbatore: Tomato farmers in the district have stopped harvesting the crop and feeding it to cattle as price has dropped to Rs 5 for a kilogram from Rs 25 a month ago
Tomatoes are cultivated in about 5,000 hectares in areas like Thondamuthur, Narasipuram, Thenkarai, Nachipalayam and Theethipatti here.
Price has touched a three-year low, said A Jagannathan, an Alandurai-based farmer. “Last year, we sold 12kg (a box) for Rs 300 to Rs 400. Now, we are selling the same quantity for Rs 70 to Rs 80,” he told TOI.
“Farmers in the region had spent over Rs 1 lakh for cultivating tomatoes in an acre. They will have to spend a few thousand more to harvest and transport tomatoes to commission mandis. We have to pay a farmhand Rs 800 a day to harvest 12kg tomatoes. We also need to spend at least Rs 25 for transporting a box. As farmhands from nearby districts including Salem are yet to reach the district, we are witnessing labour shortage. Wages have gone up,” Jagannathan said.
Despite loan waiver and declaration of special zone, delta residents cite concerns
On the surface, it may be an Assembly election sans issues in the Cauvery delta region. Declaration of the delta region as a Protected Special Agriculture Zone (PSAZ) and the waiving of cooperative farm loans to the tune of ₹12,000 crore seem to have resolved long-pending issues of the farmers. But the simmering discontent over a “lack of progress” and the favouring of one section could play a role in the election.
“Even though the State government has created the Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone Authority, not a single meeting has been held so far, though it should meet at least twice a year,” said V. Sethuraman, a farmer from Mannargudi.
Despite loan waiver and declaration of special zone, delta residents cite concerns
On the surface, it may be an Assembly election sans issues in the Cauvery delta region. Declaration of the delta region as a Protected Special Agriculture Zone (PSAZ) and the waiving of cooperative farm loans to the tune of ₹12,000 crore seem to have resolved long-pending issues of the farmers. But the simmering discontent over a “lack of progress” and the favouring of one section could play a role in the election.
“Even though the State government has created the Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone Authority, not a single meeting has been held so far, though it should meet at least twice a year,” said V. Sethuraman, a farmer from Mannargudi.
The undisturbed nest of a sparrow in the paddy field of J Ranganathan near Kumbakonam
TRICHY: A farmer hailing from a village near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur has earned the appreciation of people for leaving a portion of his paddy field unharvested after spotting the nest and eggs of a sparrow. He went on to strengthen the nest with supportive sticks and harvest the rest of the crops.
Watch: A farmer hailing from a village near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu leaves a portion of his paddy field unharveste… https://t.co/ST4lkqTyTo TOIChennai (@TOIChennai) 1613797351000
J Ranganathan alias Raghu, 40, had raised paddy on his three-acre land in Sathanur village. As the crops completed their 120-day cycle and were ready for harvest, Ranganathan used a harvester machine to reap the field. As he was moving along with the machine, he spotted a bird nest over the paddy crop at three feet height on a portion of his field. After alerting the harvester operator to stop, Ranganathan checked the nest