Plight of betel leaf farmers miserable as gale storms hit fields, expect new government to give relief swiftly
Betel leaf farmers in Madurai district are facing severe losses due to recent gale storms and unseasonal rainfall. Many farmers are hopeful for government relief, but officials have indicated that the damage is classified as a natural disaster. The situation is dire, with significant financial losses and increased production costs affecting not only betel leaf farmers but also those cultivating coconut and paddy.
- ▪Farmers in Mannadimangalam lost close to 75 acres of betel leaves due to gale storms.
- ▪The cost of cultivating betel leaves is high, requiring 24 to 30 months of work for potential earnings.
- ▪Officials have stated that no relief will be provided as the damage is considered a natural calamity.
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Till a decade ago, betel leaves grown from Sholavandan in Madurai district were exported to the USA and U.K. and among other countries. However, today, the plight of the farmers’ was miserable that most of them are facing ‘red’ and were unable to stop the rising losses due to multiple factors.Very recently, on a sunny day, the farmers’ in Mannadimangalam raising betel leaves were in for a shock. A strong wind accompanied by unseasonal rainfall for about an hour completely turned their fate. The entire “kodikaal” was uprooted in the wind and the fields were inundated with knee deep water.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Hindu — Top.
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