Says additional paddy worth ₹125 cr. produced this season

Kerala is providing the highest minimum support price (MSP) to paddy farmers in the country, Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar has said.

He was inaugurating a two-day workshop on ‘Environment-friendly Kuttanad’ at the Rice Research Station, Mankombu, here on Thursday.

“The government has recently decided to increase the MSP of paddy by ₹1 to ₹26.30 per kg. This is not any aid but the government is giving farmers what they are eligible to receive,” Mr. Kumar said. The Minister said ₹35 crore had been given by the government for distribution to flood-hit paddy farmers in the State.

“The paddy farmers have been given ₹13,500 for crop loss and another ₹12,200 for removing silt from their fields. We also provided seeds, lime, and drained submerged fields free of charge. The issue regarding the pumping subsidy has been resolved. The actions of the government and hard work of farmers have helped to increase paddy production significantly,” he said.

Farm calendar

“Good and sustainable agricultural practices will be implemented in Kuttanad. Steps will be taken to follow the agricultural calendar. After the floods, changes have occurred to soil in Kuttanad. The farmers are getting an average yield between five and eight tonnes per hectare. We have been able to produce additional paddy worth ₹125 crore this season,” the Minister said.

He added that the government would hold consultations with farmers before implementing the ₹1,000- crore second Kuttanad package.

District panchayat president G. Venugopal presided.