Farmers upset over poor compensation, incorrect enumeration

As per the government’s enumeration, 32,000 hectares in Thanjavur district under coconut cultivation was affected. Local farmers, however, claimed that the correct figure was around 82,000hectares, adding that more than 1 crore trees were damaged.

“The government initially said that 42 lakh trees were damaged in the cyclone. After we explained the issue to ministers (in-charge) K A Sengottaiyan and R B Udayakumar, the figure was revised to 52 lakh trees. However, the compensation has not yet been distributed to all the affected farmers,” claimed V Veerasenan, president, coconut farmers’ welfare association.

Claiming that farmers from the region are totally dejected, he said they had visited the Joint Director’s office in Thanjavur on several occasions to enquire about the compensation, but to no avail.

“Although four months have passed since the cyclone, the uprooted trees are yet to be removed as it requires huge money,” Veerasenan said.

Meanwhile, the farmers rued the unfulfilled promise of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who upon visiting Pattukottai on November 30, assured that the government would provide high-yield coconut seedlings from Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

“She said that the availability of coconut seedlings in Tamil Nadu would be assessed and if there was a need for more seedlings. states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha besides the Andamans would be approached. She said the seedlings would be transported by a Defence ship to the Delta region via the Thoothukudi port,” Veerasenan recalled.

“The Pattukottai soil can give a good yield only when local varieties like ‘nettai’ and ‘kuttai’ are planted. Notwithstanding that, we were hopeful that the minister would keep her word, but she has failed,” he said, adding that the farmers are intent on teaching politicians a lesson in the April 18 elections.

The prevailing crisis has led to each seedling being sold by private nurseries for around Rs 70, when its normal cost was only Rs 20. Since the government has not distributed free seedlings, coconut farmers are forced to look at alternative options to sustain their livelihood.