The farmers representatives have asked the district administration to take steps for the supply of fodder for the cattle at subsidised rate, taking into consideration the severe drought conditions prevailing in the district.
C. Vaiyapuri, president, United Farmers Association — Tamil Nadu said that the provision of fodder at subsidised rate by the State Animal Husbandry department last year immensely benefited the rural farmers.
The district is again reeling under severe drought conditions. In the absence of vegetation, farmers could not graze the cattle. Fodder has become scarce even in the delta districts, Mr. Vaiyapuri said and urged the district administration to make adequate stock now itself.
Other farmers too supported him. Mr. Vaiyapuri said that geographical zonal wise crop pattern system should be introduced. India is one among the very few countries which did not the adopt crop pattern. Because of this, States like Karnataka were exploiting the farmers of Tamil Nadu.
N. Perumal of Puliankurichi said that the fall in the cotton price is a matter of concern for the farmers in the district. He asked the District Collector to set up a special committee to fix the price of cotton.
Besides declaring Salem district as drought hit, the State Government should bring down the bus fare, as diesel price had fallen by about Rs. 16 a litre in the recent past. A mobile soil testing laboratory should be set up in the district.
A.R. Shanmugam of Panaimarathupatti said that with summer months ahead, all the departments should come forward to present proposals for combating the drought.
He said that the uzhavar santhai in the district have proved a big hit with both the farmers and the consumers. The farmers have to take the day’s collection to their villages facing risk.
The opening of bank counters will benefit the farmers to a great extent, Mr. Shanmugam said.
