Nendran banana growers face shortage of water for irrigation
Farmers in the Tiruchi district are facing a severe water shortage for their nendran banana crops due to the delayed opening of the Mettur dam. With groundwater levels dropping, growers fear significant crop loss if irrigation water is not provided soon.
Why it matters
Water scarcity directly threatens the livelihoods of farmers and the supply of staple food crops in the region.
Farmers, who have raised nendran banana crops in Tiruchi district, face shortage of water for irrigation.
Nendran banana constitutes about one-third of banana cultivation in the Tiruchi district. It is one of the staple food items, mainly in Kerala. Since it fetches good prices, particularly at markets in different parts of Kerala, farmers in Tiruchi district prefer the crop. Those who own lands along the banks of the Cauvery and the Kollidam raise nendran bananas as they assured of groundwater and irrigation.
According to sources, the nendran crop is raised on about 2,500 hectares. Most of the landholdings in Andanallur, Kuzhumani, Pettavaithalai, Manikandam, Mutharasanallur, Jeeyapuram, Adavathur, Kuzhumani, Kodiyalam, Ettarai, Koppu, Thiruvalarcholai, Thiruvanaikovil, Kavutharasanallur, Kilikoodu, and Panayapuram have been brought under nendran cultivation. Plantation of nendran saplings was completed in January and February.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in