Puncha harvest set to begin in Kuttanad next week
The Hindu
As per official estimates, 30 harvester machines are available with the authorities for the current season whereas the actual requirement for the season is around 240 machines.
Amidst widespread concerns over fleecing of paddy farmers by harvester operators, harvesting of the ‘puncha’ crop in over 12,300 hectares in the northern and upper Kuttanad regions of Kottayam is slated to begin next week.
Prior to the opening of the season, District Collector P.K. Jayasree convened a meeting of paddy farmers’ collectives and officials of the Agriculture department recently and reviewed the preparations. The meeting also discussed the issues raised by farmers’ representatives regarding exorbitant rates charged by harvester operators.
As per official estimates by the office of the principal agriculture officer, Kottayam, 30 harvester machines are available with the authorities for the current season. The actual requirement for the season is around 240 machines.
“Steps have been taken to source machines from the private sector to meet the requirement during the peak season. On the other hand, panchayat-level committees have been entrusted with the task of sorting out all issues pertaining to the procurement of the crop by rice mill units,” says Geetha Varghese, principal agriculture officer, Kottayam.
As against the previous year, the puncha season this time is scheduled to be completed by April 25 as several of the farmers have used short-duration variety to make up for the time lost due to the extended rain, she added.
While the government has fixed a tariff of ₹1,900–₹2,100 per hour for the harvesters, official sources concede that the cost may shoot up by at least ₹200 per hour in case of summer rains. “Rains will leave the farmers with no option but to complete the harvest at the earliest and even if the operators bargain hard for higher rates, the scope for our intervention will be limited. Also, the farmers have to transport these machines on their own, which will add to the cost,’’ pointed out an official.
Meanwhile, hundreds of paddy farmers in the region are anxiously waiting for the payment for paddy procured during the previous season. While about 23,000 tonnes of paddy was procured from the region, around ₹33 crore is currently due to the farmers.
Abhishek Banerjee challenges BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram, pledging community health initiatives if Trinamool Congress wins.
Rising LPG shortages in Karnataka boost firewood demand, reviving an informal market as households and hotels seek alternatives.
Against the backdrop of intense poll activity, a 400-metre stretch of an arterial road in the outskirts of Chennai (technically in Madurapakkam panchayat under Tambaram assembly constituency) presents a salute to the idea of res publica, which underpins India’s system of governance, where citizens have a say, at least before a government is securely ensconced in the seat of power. A Republic Day initiative shines bright every night
Fadnavis claims zero FIR in Ajit Pawar crash is a defamation attempt by Karnataka against Maharashtra's investigation efforts.
Set to unfold as a one-day pop-up on April 5, the Easter Sadya brings together both vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus, offering a peek into the food traditions of the Syrian Christian (Nasrani) community. While the traditional Sadya is often associated with dishes such as sambar, avial, and rice, this version expands to include community-specific festive dishes.
BJP nominates mother of R.G. Kar victim Abhaya to contest from Panihati in West Bengal Assembly elections.
Veteran Malayalam actor-director E.A. Rajendran passes away at 71, leaving behind a rich legacy in the film industry.
Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat has rolled out digital mode of water bill generation and collection in 23 gram panchayats on a pilot basis for the first time in Karnataka. This is set to be extended to the remaining 200 panchayats shortly, according to the Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Narwade Vinayak Karbhari.
Bengaluru police questioned a man carrying ₹6 lakh for medical expenses at Vidhana Soudha, later releasing him after verification.
BJP accuses Bengaluru's Congress government of corruption in e-Khata issuance, halting infrastructure projects due to financial mismanagement.
Misinformation in Hyderabad sparks panic buying, causing disruptions as residents react to unfounded rumors of an impending lockdown.
Bengaluru Metro extends services until 2 a.m. on March 28 for IPL match, ensuring convenient travel for spectators.
A bus truck-collision in Andhra Pradesh's Markapuram district, killing several. Catch LIVE updates here!