Central team takes stock of drought in Madurai

The central team comprising of Vijay Rajmohan, Director of Trade, Extension and Drought Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare and Santhosh, Assistant Advisor to Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, visited three villages, Alapalacheri, Poosalapuram and Kuppalnatham which were affected intensively in the drought. During the visit the team interacted with the farmers and assessed the ground reality. 

Following the inspection, the team said that more than 80 per cent of agricultural lands in the districts are drought-affected and they will submit their recommendations to the government in a week. Following their report, a detailed analysis would be done and the compensation would be disbursed claimed the team. 

During the inspection at Alapalacheri, a farmer Panneerselvam who had cultivated Maize in his three acres of land, said “There was no rain during the last year. Our crops have dried and we have no other source of income. I request the government to provide compensation at the earliest.” A farmer from Kuppalnatham Subramanian claimed that the farmers also faced problem from wild boars and deer. “These animals come to our farms due to lack of water in the wild. In the process, they damage our crops,” he added.