Date:13/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/13/stories/2007011306630300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Kuttanad paddy farmers in trouble

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA : The failure of Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. (Supplyco) to disburse the payment for paddy procured from farmers of Kuttanad during November and December last year has landed the farmers in deep distress.

Thomas Peelianikkal, executive director of Kuttanad Vikasana Samithi, an NGO working in the agricultural sector in Kuttanad, said the farmers were to get Rs.6 crore as arrears from the Supplyco.

As per the existing procurement system of the Supplyco, it purchased paddy from the farmers at the rate fixed by the State Government and distributed it to rice mills for de-husking. The farmers were given paddy receipts for the paddy purchased from them and that would be reimbursed later. According to the system, the money due to farmers would be deposited in their bank account.

The rice returned by the mills to the Supplyco was later sold through the fair price shops in the State to the public.

Fr. Peelianikkal said majority of the farmers in Kuttanad were waiting for the to grow the next crop. He said the farmers had taken loans at high rates of interest to conduct the punja crop, which was the next crop and was the most profitable crop for farmers.

He said the Chief Minister, Agriculture Minister and Minister for Civil Supplies should intervene on the issue.