A double whammy for farmers

Manav Mander
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, October 19

High moisture content in paddy and less produce are proving a double whammy for farmers this paddy season. Farmers are blaming the late sowing instructions by the government as a reason behind the same.

Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary of the Bhartiya Kissan Union, said earlier, they used to sow paddy from June 10, which was then postponed to June 15, and this year, to June 20 by the government.

“Late sowing of paddy will affect the harvesting of paddy. Its quality will be affected and the produce will also be less. Late sowing means late harvesting, and by the time the harvesting starts, the weather changes and moisture in the atmosphere also increase, and thus leads to increase in the moisture content in the produce,” said Lakhowal.

He further said, “Earlier, the farmers used to get 30-35 quintals of produce from an acre. It was reduced to 20-25, and this year, it has further decreased to 21-22 quintals per acre.”

“Due to less produce, farmers are directly suffering a loss of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per acre. In addition to this, high moisture content is also giving them tough time in selling their produce,” said Baljit Singh, a farmer from a Begowal village in Doraha.

Farmers yet to get compensation

Last month, due to heavy rainfall, crop was destroyed and the government had announced to give a compensation after assessing the losses, but farmers are still waiting for the same. Whenever any such calamity comes, the government announces compensation, but it is hardly given and same has been the case this year. “We had demanded a compensation of Rs 20,000 for per acre and requested that it should be given within 15 days. However, no compensation has been given to the framers,” said Sewak Singh.