Gale destroys banana crop in western region

Yet, the hopes of farmers in the western districts for a bumper harvest were blown away by gale that accompanied the heavy rain. The stormy winds destroyed banana crops cultivated in thousands of acres, causing huge losses to the farmers in Coimbatore, Erode and Tirupur districts over the last few weeks.

“I was hoping for a good harvest, but unexpected winds destroyed my hybrid ‘nendran’ crop raised in two acres,” said P Rajendran, a farmer from Annur area. He had spent about Rs 1.5 lakh to raise the crop and took precautions by providing support to the stems to prevent damage from strong winds. However, the crop couldn’t withstand the fury of the powerful winds.

Farmers claimed they had never come across such windy conditions during May. “It’s unusual. The windy season is yet to start, but the gale that struck was unprecedented. I have decided not to raise plantain crops hereafter due to this,”said Rajendran.

Farmers in Coimbatore outskirts such as Sirumugai, Lingapuram, Madukkarai, Thondamuthur, Karamadai and Annur blocks bore the brunt of the strong winds.

“About 3.5 lakh banana trees were destroyed in the district alone due to the gale just in the last three weeks. Farmers may have lost several lakh plantains in other western districts too, mainly Erode and Tirupur,” said Tamil Nadu Farmers Association-Coimbatore district president S Palanisamy.

Most of the farmers fail to avail of insurance for their crops due to high premium. Under the disaster management fund, the affected farmers are paid a paltry Rs 3.50 paise for a tender plantain crop and Rs 7.50 paise for well-grown ones as compensation per plant for the damage. “When farmers spend not less than Rs 100 on each tree, paying such a low compensation doesn’t help them in anyway. Many a times, they end up in deep debts,” said Palanisamy.