Rain-related calamities hit joint farming ventures in Kozhikode

Unexpected crop loss caused by the recent spell of rain-related calamities has dashed the hopes of several Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) of farmers in Kozhikode district, who had recently ventured into large-scale farming with bank loans. While most affected farmers are pinning their hopes on crop insurance to recover their losses, there is still no confirmation on the timely processing and disbursal of the compensation.

According to Agriculture department officials, the total crop loss in the district since the onset of the monsoon is estimated at ₹44 crore, based on field-level data covering around 2,000 hectares. As many as 17,671 farmers were affected due to crop loss in the district. Farmers in the Thodannur block alone have reportedly suffered losses worth ₹18.7 crore.

Farmers from severely affected areas in Mukkom and Perambra say they are now compelled to borrow additional money to repay existing agricultural loans. They also allege that field-level damage assessments are yet to be completed in many locations, which may further delay the disbursement of crop insurance benefits.

“There are many youngsters who joined neighbourhood groups and joint liability projects hoping to build a future in farming, but these unexpected setbacks may drive them away from agriculture for good if the government doesn’t ensure fair and timely compensation,” says C. Abdul Khader, an affected farmer from Kozhikode. He points out that delayed or insufficient assistance could discourage many newcomers to the sector.

Plantain and paddy farmers have been hit the hardest by seasonal adversities. The Agriculture department’s latest data reveals that plantain farmers alone have suffered losses worth ₹35 crore, with approximately 6.5 lakh plantain trees destroyed in the past two-and-a-half months. 

In the case of paddy, the total loss estimated till date, covering around 175 hectares of affected field, is ₹2.6 crore. Some affected farmers do not have crop insurance, while a few local joint liability groups and neighbourhood groups opted for self-funded cultivation to avoid bank loans and additional liabilities.

Local body representatives from the worst-hit villages say the situation is dire for many JLGs, as they have no means to repay existing loans and other credit facilities. Many farmers who availed of gold loans and short-term credits are reportedly devastated by the crisis.

In addition to Thodannur, farmers from Mukkom, Perambra, Koduvally, Kakkur, Koyilandy, Kunnummal, Thikkodi, Ulliyeri, and Vadakara are among the worst affected, as per block- and sector-level audit reports. In Mukkom and Perambra alone, around 4,000 farmers have reported major losses.