Farmers demand full compensation for crops damage

Coimbatore: The Tamil Nadu Farmers Association is tough complete compensation for crops destroyed by way of wild animals. In a letter to the forest division and agriculture division, the association mentioned the government-fixed price of Rs 25,000 consistent with acre for crop harm was turning into insufficient and that the compensation does now not succeed in the farmers.

The association, at its govt committee assembly remaining week, had passed a answer tough the govt. to increase the compensation.

"Each banana tree we grow is worth Rs 125 to Rs 150. So, an acre will have banana trees worth more than Rs 1.20 lakh," mentioned district secretary of the association P Kandasamy.

There are many high-value crops like pulses, banana, sugarcane and turmeric, whose crop value of even half-an acre will be price Rs 50,000. "Rs 25,000 fixed as compensation is inadequate. They don't give insurance payouts for the damage either," Kandasamy mentioned.

Farmers also say that even the compensation of Rs 25,000 does now not succeed in them fully. "Officers cite shortage of funds. The forest department does not even consider the agriculture officer's report certifying the extent of damage completely while issuing the compensation," the farmer added.