R. Balaji

Chennai , Dec. 23

WITH harvesting commencing in the Cauvery delta, farmers are hoping that the Tamil Nadu Government would step in to procure paddy as a market intervention mechanism.

The flood or rain-affected paddy in worst-hit areas such as Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Thiruvarur and Thanjavur is likely to show the effect of excessive moisture — discolouration. The private trade may not be willing to purchase such grain or they may quote rock-bottom prices, feel farmers.

In the other districts in the northern parts of Tamil Nadu, the paddy crop is in a relatively better condition and farmers are waiting for a bit of sunshine to start harvesting operations or tilling for the coming season, say millers and farmers. From the tank and well-fed farms in these parts, arrivals will be bountiful in about two months, they say.

According to Mr S. Ranganathan, General Secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, the State Government could revert to the practice of direct purchase, which was in vogue a few years ago, to procure paddy with some concessions on quality. In the last three years, the State Government has been procuring paddy as an agent for the Central pool.

This year, the State Government could cut back on Central Government allocation and start procuring paddy for the Public Distribution System. This would be a major support to the farmers who would otherwise be at the mercy of the private trade, which would exploit the opportunity to quote low rock- bottom prices.

While Nagapattinam and Cuddalore are the worst affected areas, and need major support and relief, Thanjavur and Thiruvarur have not suffered as much since the flooding was mostly restricted to the Coleroon system. So direct procurement by the State Government would be a major support to the farmers in this area, he said.

Over 7 - 8 lakh tonnes of paddy would be available in Thiruvarur and Thanjavur, which last year supplied about 9 lakh tonnes to the Central pool.

Also, the State Government should have no compunctions about procuring paddy from the delta area because farmers have mostly shifted away from the traditional red variety, the TKM - 9. Only the more market-preferred varieties are being cultivated. These are: Co 43, ADT 39, Sona Masuri and the like. Sona Masuri, for instance, is a variety from Karnataka, which is imported on a large scale for consumption from this neighbouring State. Delta farmers are increasingly taking to this variety, which has a good demand locally.

According to traders, the paddy situation in the State is comfortable though there has been a slight increase in prices due to rice milling operations shutting down during the rains.

In Kanchipuram and Chinglepet area, a major production centre that is dependent on tank- and well-fed irrigation, the rains have proved a boon.

Farmers have commenced land preparation operations and are looking forward to a good harvest in the next two months.

According to rice millers, paddy arrivals could hit a peak in about a month's time with supplies from the Villupuram, Tindivanam, Gingee and Tiruvannamalai areas. Farmers are looking forward to some sunshine to start farming operations, they said.

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