Villagers from Anaikatti and Thadagam have sought permission to travel to Attapadi, Kerala, for cultivation, on all the seven days. Farmers of the region alleged that vehicles from Kerala are permitted into TN but vehicles from TN are not allowed into Kerala.
Coimbatore: Villagers from the Anaikatti and Thadagam have sought permission to travel to Attapadi, Kerala, for cultivation, on all the seven days. Farmers of the region alleged that vehicles from Kerala are permitted into TN but vehicles from TN are not allowed into Kerala, not even for essential agricultural work. Even if they allow vehicles for agriculture work the Kerala checkposts, demand for COVID-19 test reports.
A petition was drafted and signed by 32 farmers representing the fellow farmers from the area. The petition stated, "We are farmers from Anaikatti and Thadagam villages and surrounding places. We undertake agriculture at our own lands in Attapadi, Kerala. We have fields at Solaiyur village, Kottathurai village and Agazhi and have been undertaking agriculture for many years.
We cultivate crops such as coconut, plantain, betelnut, maize, corn and millet varieties and vegetables such as tomatoes, lady's finger, brinjal, chillies, onions and varieties of greens. We also breed goats and cows and are entirely dependent on agriculture for our living.
Since March, the Central and State governments have taken measures to control the spread of COVID-19 and the efforts have paid off. The spread has been completely controlled. To prevent the spread of the disease, the Anaikatti police have set up checkposts at various places and are monitoring the movement of the people and doing a commendable job. Similarly, the Kerala police have also set up checkposts at Anaikatti and the Kerala State police are also monitoring the movement of the people and not permitting any one to travel. However, due to this those who own lands in Kerala and are involved in agriculture are not able to travel to their lands. We reside only one to 15 kms away from our lands. For the past two months, we had been permitted to visit our land and undertake agricultural activities only two days in a week. For the past 15 days, however, we are being provided with various reasons and not being permitted to go for agriculture into the Kerala border."
The petition further read, "The cultivated crops on the agricultural lands are all close to harvest and during this time the lack of maintenance and care will cause the produce to waste away. We are also not able to take the produce from the field. Additionally, the fields are located in mountainous regions and animals and birds like elephants, deer, boars and peacocks destroy the crops. The cattle also die due to improper care. The current monsoon rains are the time to sow, but we are not able to do this."
"The lockdown has been in place for the past few months and the livelihood of the farmers has been affected due to this. We follow the guidelines and advice issued by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Our requests include
1. Permission to undertake agricultural work on all seven days of the week.
2. All farmers to be provided with Farmers ID card
3. Permission to transport agricultural produce to the markets on all days
4. Permission to transport agricultural equipment, manure and fodder for cattle on all dyas.
5. Permission to travel to government offices for work-related matters on all days.
Our livelihood is dependent on agriculture. We have taken loans from banks, cooperative banksand others for agriculture. For the past six months, our livelihood has been affected severely. Hence our requests must be prioritized and fulfilled," said the petition.
A petition was drafted and signed by 32 farmers representing the fellow farmers from the area. The petition stated, "We are farmers from Anaikatti and Thadagam villages and surrounding places. We undertake agriculture at our own lands in Attapadi, Kerala. We have fields at Solaiyur village, Kottathurai village and Agazhi and have been undertaking agriculture for many years.
We cultivate crops such as coconut, plantain, betelnut, maize, corn and millet varieties and vegetables such as tomatoes, lady's finger, brinjal, chillies, onions and varieties of greens. We also breed goats and cows and are entirely dependent on agriculture for our living.
Since March, the Central and State governments have taken measures to control the spread of COVID-19 and the efforts have paid off. The spread has been completely controlled. To prevent the spread of the disease, the Anaikatti police have set up checkposts at various places and are monitoring the movement of the people and doing a commendable job. Similarly, the Kerala police have also set up checkposts at Anaikatti and the Kerala State police are also monitoring the movement of the people and not permitting any one to travel. However, due to this those who own lands in Kerala and are involved in agriculture are not able to travel to their lands. We reside only one to 15 kms away from our lands. For the past two months, we had been permitted to visit our land and undertake agricultural activities only two days in a week. For the past 15 days, however, we are being provided with various reasons and not being permitted to go for agriculture into the Kerala border."
The petition further read, "The cultivated crops on the agricultural lands are all close to harvest and during this time the lack of maintenance and care will cause the produce to waste away. We are also not able to take the produce from the field. Additionally, the fields are located in mountainous regions and animals and birds like elephants, deer, boars and peacocks destroy the crops. The cattle also die due to improper care. The current monsoon rains are the time to sow, but we are not able to do this."
"The lockdown has been in place for the past few months and the livelihood of the farmers has been affected due to this. We follow the guidelines and advice issued by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Our requests include
1. Permission to undertake agricultural work on all seven days of the week.
2. All farmers to be provided with Farmers ID card
3. Permission to transport agricultural produce to the markets on all days
4. Permission to transport agricultural equipment, manure and fodder for cattle on all dyas.
5. Permission to travel to government offices for work-related matters on all days.
Our livelihood is dependent on agriculture. We have taken loans from banks, cooperative banksand others for agriculture. For the past six months, our livelihood has been affected severely. Hence our requests must be prioritized and fulfilled," said the petition.