Much to the cheers of farmers, Virudhunagar district administration on Friday announced dropping the proposal to acquire 129 acres of land of Regional Agricultural Research Centre at Kovilankulam near Aruppukottai for setting up a SIPCOT industrial park.
During the discussion at the monthly farmers’ grievance redress meeting, Collector V.P. Jeyaseelan made the announcement. He was answering to the issue raised by general secretary of Cauvery Vaigai Gundar Kiruthumal Irrigation Farmers’ Federation M. Arjunan. As the Collector made the reply in favour of the farmers, it was welcomed with a big round of applause.
The farmers’ body had opposed the move claiming that the research centre was set up by the then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran in 1981 soon after he won from Aruppukottai Asssembly constitutency in 1977.
The centre had been taking up research on dryland crops meant for the southern districts. It was also coordinating with agricultural colleges, horticulture colleges and other research centres and it had been upgraded as Coordination Centre of Regional Research and Extension Advisory Council of South Zone for training and skill development schemes of the Central government.
Meanwhile, A. Vijayamurugan of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam complained about the farmers facing huge loss due to white fly attack in coconut palms. He wanted the district administration to take enumeration of the affected trees across the district by revenue and agricultural officers to provide due compensation to the farmers who have faced economic loss.
When other farmers raised the issue of crop insurance for coconut and mango trees, the Collector ordered the officials to conduct special camps on crop insurance in the taluks of Srivilliputtur, Rajapalayam and Watrap where coconut farming was significant.
Mr. Vijayamurugan sought an out-of-the-box measure by scientists to fight the pest attack to save farmers as all the suggestions made by the officials have not worked.
Published - March 21, 2025 07:31 pm IST
