Withered crops is proof, pay relief: Farmers

The farmers said that the agriculture department officials earlier alerted the farmers to be vigilant against the spread of rice blast disease which has been spreading across the district that would hit their yield. The officials suggested the farmers to follow certain practices to avoid the fungal attack to their crops.

However, despite practising the advice given by the officials, the farmers witnessed disease in their crops. They said that the crops had been attacked right from the seeding in many parts. But in Lalgudi region in Tiruchy district, the crops had dark spots on the grains and reduce the grain quality. Thus their yield was remarkably affected. Over 70 per cent of their crops had withered at the ripening stage, they said. They claimed that they had spent at least Rs 28,000 per acre but everything was lost due to the fungal attack. They demanded compensation to the damaged crops. They also sought the District Collector S Sivarasu to insist the agri department officials to conduct assessment at the earliest and getthem compensation.