Chennai, June 30 (IANS) With water storage in the Mettur dam forcing a sharp decline in short-term paddy cultivation this season, farmers in the Cauvery Delta have urged the Tamil Nadu government to announce a special relief package and provide scientific guidance on alternative crops to help offset mounting losses.

The demand comes after Food Minister P. Venkatramanan, during his recent visit to the Delta region, advised farmers to shift to alternate crops in view of the limited water availability.

While welcoming the suggestion, farmer organisations said such a transition could succeed only if it is backed by financial assistance, technical support and a clear cultivation strategy.

According to farmer representatives, the failure to undertake kuruvai cultivation this year is expected to result in an income loss of nearly ₹1,125 crore across the Delta districts. They warned that the impact would extend beyond paddy farmers, as the absence of kuruvai would also lead to a severe shortage of paddy straw, the primary source of fodder for cattle, thereby affecting the livestock sector.

Swamimalai Sundara Vimalnathan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, said the government’s advice on alternate crop cultivation was appropriate under the prevailing circumstances but stressed that farmers required timely guidance before taking up new crops.

He urged the State government to convene a joint meeting of agricultural experts, officials and farmer representatives to identify crops that are suitable for the current water availability and local soil conditions.

Such consultations, he said, would help farmers make informed decisions and minimise the risk of crop failure.

Farmer organisations also called for a comprehensive special package covering input subsidies, quality seeds, fertilisers and extension support to encourage farmers to adopt alternative crops.

They said many farmers were reluctant to shift cultivation without assurances on profitability, market access and government support.

The uncertainty surrounding the release of Cauvery water and the low storage level in the Mettur reservoir have already disrupted plans for the kuruvai season, one of the most important short-term paddy crops cultivated in the Delta.

Farmers said immediate intervention by the government was essential to protect rural livelihoods, prevent large-scale financial losses and ensure that agricultural activity continues despite the water shortage.

They maintained that with proper planning, expert guidance and adequate financial assistance, farmers could successfully diversify cultivation this season and reduce the economic impact of the curtailed kuruvai crop.

—IANS

aal/rad