The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : Banana growers resent Govt silence on compensation plea

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 26, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Banana growers resent Govt silence on compensation plea

S.Ganesan

Survey puts plantain crop loss at Rs.15. 35 crores

TIRUCH: I: Banana growers of Tiruchi district, whose crops were devastated in the gale that struck the region a couple of months ago, are distraught over the Government's continued silence on their plea for compensation despite the recommendations of the district administration.

The gale razed down standing plantain trees on hundreds of acres across the district on March 13. A survey conducted by the Horticulture Department had stated that the standing crop had been damaged on about 1,020 hectares in 47 villages in Tiruchi district resulting in a loss of about Rs.15.35 crores. About 3,050 farmers were affected.

The damage was said to be extensive in Tiruverambur, Manikandam, Andhanallur, Lalgudi, Poovalur and Manachanallur areas with nearly 60 per cent of the plantations being razed down. This included about 560 hectares in Poovalur, 106 in Manachanallur, 328 in Andhanallur, 17 in Manikandam and 13 in Tiruverambur. Farmers representatives, however, had contended that more areas had been damaged in Thottiyam, Musiri, Kattuputhur, Srinivasanallur, Vathalai, Manamedu and Gunaseelam areas.

Based on the survey, the district administration had recommended payment of Rs.40, 000 per acre. However, nearly two months after the district authorities forwarded the recommendation, farmers were still awaiting the Government's response.

In an attempt to draw the attention of the Government to their plight, the banana growers even staged a demonstration in the city, but to no avail. Enquiries with the district authorities drew a reply that they were awaiting orders from the Government, say the farmers.

Aggrieved farmers complain that the havoc caused by the gale had almost gone unnoticed at the Government-level.

The district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, C. Masilamani, observes that the gale has dealt a blow to the economy of many villages in the district, while the State Secretary of the Bharathiya Kisan Sangh, P.Ayyakannu describes the disaster as a "mini-tsunami" as far as banana growers were concerned.

Farmers' associations say that of the 3,000-odd affected banana growers, many were small and medium farmers. Only the big farmers accounting for less than 10 per cent had the crop insured and even they had been facing problems in getting their claims sanctioned, says Mr. Ayyakannu.

The insurance companies have been demanding documents certifying that the crop had been fully damaged. Though the district administration had promised to convene a meeting with the insurance authorities, the issue is yet to be sorted out.

Banana growers had to invest a minimum of Rs.40, 000 per acre for raising the crop and most of them had raised loans from private lenders. Small farmers have been completely devastated as the full grown crop had been razed down and most of them are struggling to repay their loans. Some had also taken advances from banana merchants, it was pointed out.

It is regrettable that such disasters, which are area-specific, often goes unnoticed.

The Government should immediately act on the recommendations of the district administration and help the farmers to take up cultivation again, says Mr. Masilamani.

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