SHORT END OF THE DRUMSTICK

This would have been the time of celebration for farmers but the sweltering heat has played spoilsport, leaving the otherwise resilient crop wilting in the adverse weather conditions

-  VINCENT AROCKIARAJ

THE pale dry sticks hanging from the stem are no soothing sight, and it drummed in an agonising message to the farmers: Even drumsticks (moringa), considered a drought-resistant crop, will dry off in adverse weather conditions. The absence of rains and the unprecedented high temperature for nearly two months have reduced the yield by half even in Aravakurichi in Karur.

Ask R Selvaraj associated with Aruvai Murungai Vivasayigal Nala Sangam who cultivated drumstick in two acres of land at Esanatham in Aravakuruchi, he would say normally March to June and October to November would have been the months when he gets good yield. "But this time it is different. Blame it on the absence of rain and heatwavelike conditions," he rues, adding though a few trees bore some yield, it did not fetch good price as it is of poor quality.