Coimbatore: The Tamil Nadu Farmers Association has condemned the government for announcing Rs.5 as compensation for each banana plantation that were damaged during the recent gusty winds in Mettupalayam and surrounding areas.
Coimbatore: The Tamil Nadu Farmers Association has condemned the government for announcing Rs.5 as compensation for each banana plantation that were damaged during the recent gusty winds in Mettupalayam and surrounding areas.
Banana is cultivated in thousands of acres in Mettupalayam and its surrounding areas. Varieties of bananas are harvested and delivered across the State. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall accompanied with gusty winds, hit Annur and Mettupalayam areas for nearly an hour, a week before damaging more than one lakh banana trees either completely or partially.
Especially Sirumugai, Bagathur and Sambaravalli were the most affected. Farmers have suffered severe losses due to the damage of crops.
Following this, upon the orders of the District Administration, the Revenue Department and Horticulture department officials inspected the damaged plantations and submitted a comprehensive report to the Collector.
A compensation of Rs.5 per banana plantation was announced by the government. Irked by the amount, the TN Farmers Association has registered their condemnation against the government.
Venugopal, State Secretary of Tamil Nadu Farmers Association addressed the media in Mettupalayam, he said, “It will cost around Rs. 250 rupees to cultivate a banana plantation but the compensation amount of Rs.5 announced by the officials is not enough even to dispose the damaged trees. Fixing Rs. 5 per is like insulting the farmers."
Every year, farmers are affected due to similar natural calamities and wild animals rampage, hence the government should fix a decent amount as compensation. He urged that Rs.250 per banana plantation should be given as compensation for the affected farmers.
"If the government fails to provide the desired compensation, the farmers association will hold a rally on June 5", the State Secretary noted.
Banana is cultivated in thousands of acres in Mettupalayam and its surrounding areas. Varieties of bananas are harvested and delivered across the State. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall accompanied with gusty winds, hit Annur and Mettupalayam areas for nearly an hour, a week before damaging more than one lakh banana trees either completely or partially.
Especially Sirumugai, Bagathur and Sambaravalli were the most affected. Farmers have suffered severe losses due to the damage of crops.
Following this, upon the orders of the District Administration, the Revenue Department and Horticulture department officials inspected the damaged plantations and submitted a comprehensive report to the Collector.
A compensation of Rs.5 per banana plantation was announced by the government. Irked by the amount, the TN Farmers Association has registered their condemnation against the government.
Venugopal, State Secretary of Tamil Nadu Farmers Association addressed the media in Mettupalayam, he said, “It will cost around Rs. 250 rupees to cultivate a banana plantation but the compensation amount of Rs.5 announced by the officials is not enough even to dispose the damaged trees. Fixing Rs. 5 per is like insulting the farmers."
Every year, farmers are affected due to similar natural calamities and wild animals rampage, hence the government should fix a decent amount as compensation. He urged that Rs.250 per banana plantation should be given as compensation for the affected farmers.
"If the government fails to provide the desired compensation, the farmers association will hold a rally on June 5", the State Secretary noted.