Date:25/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/25/stories/2005022502930300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Plea to save paddy farmers

By Our Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA, FEB. 24. The Kuttanad MLA and Kerala Congress(Joseph) leader, K.C. Joseph, has demanded that the State Government take immediate steps to save the paddy farmers who are going through a rough patch following repeated pest attacks and natural calamities.

At a press conference here today, Mr. Joseph said the agricultural sector in Kuttanad was facing crisis for the second consecutive season.

Crops destroyed

Earlier, intrusion of saline water into Kuttanad through the dilapidated shutters of Thottappally spillway destroyed the crops, said Mr. Joseph. This season, the brown plant hoppers damaged the crops.

Mr. Joseph said that the farmers of Kuttanad did not get the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme as the State Government had failed to pay its contribution of Rs.1.48 crores to the scheme.