Addressing a press meet on Tuesday, District President K R Sriyan said the agriulture policy being followed in the State is putting farmers into hardship for the last several years. “The agriculture is a profitable venture, but the farmers are not in a position to repay the loan borrowed and are committing suicide in the country.”
He said “Arecanut and coconut are main crops in the coastal districts. Lakhs of families are dependent on these crops. Though the crops were fetching good prices in the market in the past, the prices have started declining in the last few years.
A few years ago, one kg of arecanut was fetching Rs 150. However, now it has come down to Rs 60 per kg. However, the production cost has been increased by five to six times. “The lives of farmers is in doldrums. The prices of essential commodities are also on rise constantly.”
Sriyan said that owing to the unseasonal rains, heavy rains, change in weather, the crops have been damaged. The coconut growers are also in trouble. Few years ago, a coconut was fetching Rs 6 to Rs 8. However, now it has been decreased to Rs 4-5. The prices of copra has also come down drastically. “Mite disease, yellow leaf disease, borer diesease affecting the coconut plantations have incurred huge loss to the farmers. Labourers who are dependent of arecanut and coconut are also suffering.”
He said free import policy of the Centre is affecting the farmers. Owing to the free trade policy, several agricultural products from foreign countries are dumped in Indian markets.
The State and Central governments should announce the support price for arecanut and coconut scientifically, he demanded.