Central team visits Delta to study paddy moisture level

TIRUCHY: Cauvery Delta farmers have appealed to a Central team that visited the region to inspect the moisture content of paddy, that a permanent GO be released directing paddy procurement with 22% moisture instead of 17% as the crop has been drenched because of unseasonal rains.

Water from the Mettur dam was released on May 24 against the mandatory June 12 and kuruvai has been cultivated in an area of 5.20 lakh acres. Procurement commenced from September 1 and has been continuing. Despite the moisture condition having been fixed at 17%, unseasonal rains in the last few days has affected the procurement as the paddy is completely wet. With officials restricting procurement of paddy with 17% moisture, the farmers have been protesting and had demanded the State to recommend to the Centre to increase it to 22%.

After the State sent a representation to the Centre in this regard, a team headed by M Z Khan, Deputy Director (S and R) Quality Control Cell, Hyderabad, visited the Delta region on Saturday and inspected the paddy. They also collected samples and interacted with farmers, TNCSC officials and also inspected the DPCs at Alakudi, Kalvirayanpettai, Chithirakudi, Sadayar Kovil and Ponnappur.

Banumathi, a farmer from Kalvirayanpettai said, “We have been witnessing rains during the kuruvai season for the past few years and the harvested paddy gets drenched. The DPC staff refuse to procure them citing increased moisture condition hence it is necessary that the 22% moisture condition be allowed.” Swamimalai Sundara Vimalnathan, Secretary Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association submitted a petition to the team as well. The team members later told the farmers that the samples would be tested at FCI and a report would be submitted to the Centre. They also inspected paddy in Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts.