'Allow farmers to sell paddy straws to other states'

Ammatti Raitha Sangha president K U Ganapathy urged the government to either purchase paddy straws from farmers or at least allow the farmers to sell paddy straws outside the state.

Addressing reporters here on Monday, he said that the state government through its recent order has prohibited farmers from selling paddy straws outside the state. This will result in the overstocking of paddy straws. The excess straws will rot in the fields, he said and warned of staging protests if the government does not purchase paddy straws before March 5 by paying a good price.

“There is a lot of demand for paddy straws in Kerala. The farmers can sell paddy straws and earn some money in order to compensate their agricultural losses. But the state government’s order has put farmers in difficulty,” he added.

“The government should also ensure that the farmers get fertilizers at the right time. The farmers are being sold expired fertilisers”, said Ganapathy.

Raitha Sangha convener K M Kushalappa said that the arecanut farmers have incurred a huge loss as the crops have been spoiled due to excess rains.

Coffee plantations have been ravaged by elephants. The government should come to the rescue of growers, he added.

Association secretary M Ponnappa was present in the press meet.