Farmers in Kodagu district voiced strong discontent over an official crop loss survey during a crucial meeting with government authorities this Sunday. The gathering, held in Ponnampet, brought together representatives from the Kodagu Raitha Sangha and officials from key departments including horticulture, agriculture, and survey to address the pressing issues plaguing the local agricultural community.
Farmers Challenge Official Survey Findings
At the heart of the confrontation was the official report on crop damage prepared by the authorities. Kodagu Raitha Sangha president K Manu Somaiah directly questioned the officials present about the survey's conclusions. He leveled a serious allegation, claiming that the authorities had incorrectly reported crop losses of less than 30% in Kodagu's estates, a figure he asserted does not reflect the severe reality on the ground.
Manu Somaiah argued that such reports, submitted to the government without proper verification, are causing significant harm to the district's entire agricultural framework. He emphasized the urgent need for accurate assessment and appropriate action for crop loss compensation, specifically highlighting the plight of areca nut, rice, coffee, and pepper cultivators.
Widespread Crop Disease and Demand for Justice
Echoing the Sangha president's concerns, several farmers provided detailed accounts of their struggles. They reported that a severe outbreak of rot disease has led to substantial devastation in arecanut plantations. The farmers urged the horticulture department to conduct a thorough and genuine survey of the affected areas to document the true extent of the damage. Their primary demand was clear: a fair and immediate compensation package based on an accurate assessment.
Official Response and Assurances
In response to the farmers' grievances, Tahsildar Praveen Kumar addressed the gathering. He assured the farming community that the administration would take suitable steps to ensure compensation for the crop losses. Furthermore, Kumar acknowledged systemic issues, promising that a change process would be initiated within the department to tackle the persistent problem of middlemen, who often complicate and delay the compensation process for genuine claimants.
The meeting in Ponnampet has thus highlighted a critical gap between official assessments and the ground-level crisis faced by Kodagu's farmers, setting the stage for potential administrative reforms and renewed scrutiny of crop damage evaluation methods.
