Palakkad Organic Farmer Raghu Mathur Enters Political Arena as Independent Candidate
In a bold move to address the longstanding neglect of farmers in Kerala's Palakkad district, Raghu Mathur, an organic farmer with decades of experience, has announced his candidature as an independent candidate. Mathur, who has dedicated his life to agriculture, asserts that Palakkad, despite being the state's largest producer of paddy, has been consistently overlooked by the three main political fronts.
Decades of Neglect and Farmer Frustration
Raghu Mathur expressed deep frustration over the lack of attention given to Palakkad's farming community. He highlighted that while the state government has frequently announced support packages for regions like Kuttanad, Idukki, and Wayanad, no such initiative has ever been considered for Palakkad. "We are tired of empty promises and political neglect," Mathur stated, emphasizing that none of the major parties have genuinely attempted to protect or address the pleas of local farmers.
His campaign is backed by approximately 12 independent farmer organizations, which have collectively pooled resources to fund election expenses. This grassroots support underscores the widespread discontent among agricultural workers in the area.
Systemic Issues in Paddy Procurement and Financial Hardship
Mathur shared a personal account of the challenges faced by farmers, detailing a problematic procurement system with Supplyco, the state's supply corporation. On his four-acre farm, he cultivated 10 tonnes of paddy, which was procured by Supplyco. However, instead of direct payment, the amount was recorded as credit, adversely affecting his financial standing.
This credit-based system has severe consequences:
- It drastically reduces farmers' CIBIL scores, as seen in Mathur's case where his score dropped from 750 to 650.
- It creates a paradoxical situation where farmers are left in debt despite producing and supplying crops.
- It hampers access to basic loans, such as when Mathur was denied a Rs 10,000 loan for his son's mobile phone due to his low credit score.
Mathur lamented, "This is how farmers are treated—our hard work is exploited, and we are pushed further into crisis." He criticized all three main political fronts, which have governed at both state and central levels, for failing to alleviate these issues.
Political Promises and Broken Commitments
Recent political engagements have only added to the farmers' disillusionment. Mathur noted that the Chief Minister and Prime Minister visited Palakkad in the last two days but made no mention of easing the procurement process. He also pointed out unfulfilled promises from NDA leaders, including local BJP officials, who assured that the Centre would procure grains after a meeting in Palakkad.
"The Left and the UDF have already failed us, and now even the NDA has not kept its word," Mathur said. He recalled a state-level protest four months ago where NDA leaders pledged support, but no action has followed since.
Palakkad's Agricultural Significance and Farmer Resolve
Palakkad district is home to about 40,000 farmers and plays a crucial role in Kerala's rice production. According to the economic review 2025, the district recorded the highest increase in both area and production of rice in 2024-25:
- Area increased by 1.82%.
- Production saw a substantial rise of 18% over the previous year.
With paddy cultivation spanning 65,561.88 hectares, total production reached 2,15,140.87 MT, and productivity stood at 3,281 kg per hectare, making Palakkad the top district in the state for paddy output.
Despite the agricultural success, farmer organizations are actively managing Mathur's campaign to highlight their struggles. "We may not win many votes, but we aim to remind political parties that Palakkad's farmers are toiling against severe hardships and deserve attention," Mathur concluded, emphasizing the symbolic importance of his candidature in advocating for farmer rights and systemic change.
