Kanniyakumari Collector announces ₹327-crore crop loan waiver for 96,722 farmers

Kanniyakumari District Collector M. Prathap on Friday announced that crop loans amounting to ₹327 crore have been waived for 96,722 farmers in the district, one of the highest numbers in the State. The announcement was made during a farmers’ grievance redress meeting held at the district collectorate in Nagercoil.

Agriculture is the backbone of the district’s economy, with a significant portion of the population depending on farming for their livelihood. The loan waiver is expected to provide substantial relief to small and marginal farmers who have been grappling with debt and unpredictable weather patterns. The meeting was part of a series of grievance redress platforms organized by the district administration to listen to farmers' concerns and provide on-the-spot solutions.

During the meeting, farmers raised several pressing issues. They urged the forest department to take immediate steps to curb the increasing menace of monkeys and wild boars that have been damaging agricultural lands. The problem has become particularly severe in recent years, leading to substantial crop losses. Farmers also highlighted that the district has a large number of banana cultivators, second only to coconut, and sought measures to export bananas to ensure better prices for their produce.

Another major concern raised was the delay in paddy procurement during the previous year, which adversely affected farmers. They requested the district administration to increase the number of paddy procurement centres in the district to ensure timely purchase of their produce. Additionally, farmers sought the repair of the automatic surplus weir at P.P. Channel, which is crucial for irrigation in the region.

Responding to the concerns, a senior official from the Water Resource Department (WRD) said that a proposal for the repair of the automatic surplus weir had already been sent to the government for approval.

The Collector instructed officials to submit a progress report on the restoration of waterbodies and waterways that have been affected by the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) four-lane work and railway projects in the district. He also directed officials to take adequate measures to desilt the Manakkudiyan canal, which is vital for irrigation in the area.

In a positive response to the farmers’ demands, Mr. Prathap announced that eight new paddy procurement centres would be established in the district. This move is likely to ease the procurement process and reduce the hardships faced by paddy farmers.

The meeting was attended by District Revenue Officer M. Velumani, Joint Director of Agriculture M.R. Vani, PA (Agri) to Collector S. Geetha, and other officials. The district administration reiterated its commitment to address all outstanding issues and ensure that farmers receive the support they need.