Distraught farmers of Kundala Kudi seek government support

Frequent wild animal issues, water scarcity & lack of govt support push many to stop farming

- NEJMA SULAIMAN @Idukki

AMRITA Raj is distraught. One of the few remaining vegetable farmers in Kundala Kudi near Munnar, the 50-year-old had taken a gold loan from a private bank for cultivating vegetables on his five acres of land.

When he planted bush beans on three acres three months ago, he never imagined its prices would drop steeply to ₹20 per kg. The price of carrots too plunged to ₹10 per kg, adding to his distress. Making matters worse, the bank has written to him regarding repayment of the loan.

"My daughter Sangeeta, who is 18, was planning to cultivate red beans on 40 cents of land by herself this season. For farming is our livelihood and we know nothing else," says a depressed Raj.