Harvesting of ‘pisanam’ paddy in Thoothukudi district has moved to top gear even as the farmers have to pay more for harvesters due to shortage of labourers while getting lesser price for their paddy after the recent unseasonal rains.
Harvesting in areas under Korampallam, the last irrigation tank under Srivaikundam Vadakaal channel, has begun in Korampallam, Periyanayagipuram, Kaalaankarai, Veeranickenthattu, Aththimarappatti, Kulaiyankarisal and Koottaampuli two weeks ago. While the farmers of Korampallam have raised Ambai 16, TPS 5 and IR 20 paddy varieties, some of them have cultivated ‘Karuppu Kavuni’ and ‘Karnataka Ponni’ varieties also.
“Those who opted for direct sowing method have got decent yield while the farmers who transplanted the paddy saplings from the nursery are not that fortunate this year. They have to be content with lesser yield. Moreover, the unseasonal rains before the harvest season had affected the yield,” said farmer S. Sakthivel of Aththimarappatti.
Since the farmers could not find labourers for harvesting the paddy, they have to rely upon the harvesters from Salem and other areas. “We are now giving ₹2,600 per hour as hiring charges for the harvester, which is ₹200 more than what we gave last year. As the fields are wet due to the recent rains, we had to give the additional charges,” Mr. Sakthivel said.
The rains had also destabilised the price of paddy. “The farmers got ₹3,300 for 140-kg paddy before the rains. After the rains, we get only ₹3,100,” he said.
Published – March 21, 2025 06:43 pm IST
