Nagapattinam and Karaikal districts have experienced unseasonal rain since last Friday through Monday, raising concerns among cotton farmers over potential yield loss as the crop enters the flowering stage.
In Nagapattinam district, cotton is grown on approximately 2,700 hectares, with the majority of cultivation taking place in Tirumarugal block and some areas of Kilvelur block. P. Balasubramanian, Alathur Panchayat president in Tirumarugal, where cotton is cultivated on about 220 hectares, said farmers are facing severe challenges.
“Due to unseasonal rains in the past two months, we have had to sow seeds three times. The cotton crop is currently in the flowering stage, but the rains have caused the flowers to wither, potentially affecting yields,” he said.
He added that sowing one acre of cotton involves ₹3,000 in labour charges and ₹2,400 for seeds, not including additional expenses for fertilizers or sand. “We repeated this entire process three times over the past two months, and now even this crop is at risk,” he added.
“In one acre, we typically get an average yield of 10 quintals,” he said. “But now, we’re looking at a loss of at least 200 kg per acre. If such rains persist, the situation will worsen, and we will suffer badly.”
In Karaikal district, cotton is cultivated on over 2,500 acres, and similar issues have been reported. D.N. Suresh of the Kadaimadai Vivasayigal Sangam said, “For the past five years, farmers in Karaikal have been growing cotton, but each year brings new challenges. Last year too, unseasonal rains during this period caused damage. We no longer have faith in crop insurance as we rarely receive fair compensation. Many of us take loans to cultivate cotton. If these rains continue, it will be very difficult for us this year.”
