A large group of farmers across the district demanded the authorities to provide compensation to the coconut trees and plantain crops and among others which were destroyed in the gale here on Friday.

Theni Collector Ranjith Singh presided over the monthly farmers’ grievance meeting at the Collectorate.

Speaking at the meeting, Ravi Narayanan, a farmer from Periyakulam said that the standing crops, which were ready for harvest, were uprooted due to the gale. “We never expected such a thing to happen.... We are at a total loss and the government has to help get the relief in full from the insurance companies to the farmers’ without any further delay....” he pleaded.

Joining him, Jagadeesn and Pitchairaj from Ganguvarpatti said that at least 3,000 plantain crops and coconut trees which were nearly three years old were destroyed. The government should not delay or come out with any lame excuses. The farmers’ fully depended on the compensation and the authorities here should take it up forward, they stressed.

The Joint Director (Agriculture) Shantamani said that they would take all steps to redress the grievances and inform the petitioners within a fortnight.

The farmers raised about the non-availability of all brands of fertilisers in the district. Intervening, the Collector directed the officials to check and ensure that the fertilisers were available sufficiently.

While the price of produce grown by the farmers remained the same, raw materials such as fertilisers were increasing steeply. Some of the outlets claimed that the stocks were yet to reach their shops and used the opportunity to increase the prices. Immediately, the officials took note of the complaint and assured to check.

Dry spell

With dry spell prevailing in many parts of the district, the farmers wanted the district administration to give them permission to lift the alluvial soil. “Once the rainfall begins, the tanks may get water. Before that they may be permitted to take the soil,” they said.

Some of the farmers complained about the non-availability or shortage experienced in veterinary experts in the district.

The farmers were told to get their exclusive identity card by approaching the extension offices of the agriculture department in their respective blocks. This card would help the farmers get fertiliser and other commodities hassle free manner. By linking the Aadhaar number with the registered mobile number, the farmers would get the ID and the number.

On a pilot basis, the government was to launch the scheme in Tirupur and Ranipet districts and hence the farmers here should furnish patta/chitta details to get the ID card, the Collector said.

Though the district had received 76.6 mm rainfall, short of the normal average annual rainfall till May this year (against 276.6 mm, 200.03 mm rainfall), the rainfall in May (till Thursday) was 88.06 mm against 64.5 mm rainfall.