Rent of harvesters goes up, Delta farmers in distress

At a time the samba crop is ready for harvesting, Delta farmers are perplexed with the increasing cost of hiring harvester machines. The harvest expenses can eat into their profits considerably as private parties have hiked the rent of the machines. So, the farmers demanded the government to bring in more harvesters from other states. 

Their demand comes at a time when the harvesting of samba is yet to pick up in the districts. Once it is in full swing, the farmers will be in a predicament due to the mounting harvest expenses. 

Ayilai Sivasuriyan, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said,

“There are two kinds of harvesting machines, chained and normal harvester (with tyre). The Agricultural Engineering Department introduced harvesters last year. It fixed Rs 1,425 per hour for chained and Rs 875 per hour for ordinary harvesters as rent. But the number of machines available is way too less and the farmers are forced to take the help of private operators, who charge more.” 

“We paid Rs 1,800 and Rs 1,150 per hour for the harvester last year. But, this year it has gone up to Rs 2,200 and Rs 1,500 for chained and normal harvesters,” he added. Sivasuriayan further said, “The harvest expenses can come down if there are considerable machines in the districts.” 

AKR Ravichandar, president of Cauvery Delta Farmers Association, said that the situation may worsen with the peaking of harvest in the coming days and the farmers may be forced to depend on middlemen who jack up the rent manifold.  

“We have been demanding the government to increase the number of harvesters and the authorities have failed to do anything. At least three harvesters should be introduced year on year to meet the growing demand,” he said.

“We spend nearly Rs 25,000 per acre for cultivation. If is the yield is good we may get Rs 10,000, otherwise we can reap only Rs 5,000 from it. If the harvest expenses skyrocket, the farmers will be forced to forgo their profits,” he added.