Continuous rains in Coimbatore following the onset of South West monsoon has affected farmers cultivating shallots(small onion) and banana badly. The farmers have petitioned the District Collector seeking compensation.

Farmers cultivating shallots and banana met District Collector TN Hariharan today and handed over a petition that stated that they have incurred loss to a tune of Rs 5 lakh per acre where shallots and bananas have been cultivated in about 10,000 acres of land in areas such as Alanthurai, Madampatti, Thondamputhur, Nallurvayal, Madhuvarayapuram and Narasipuram.

S Palanisami, President, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, Coimbatore Chapter said,” The continuous rains and wet soil has affected the quality of shallots. Most of them rot under the soil.” He said that farmers are forced to sell their produce for a low price now and hence the District Administration should offer compensation of at least Rs.2 lakhs per acre.

The farmers also said that banana cultivation done majorly in Mettuplayam, Sirumugai, Lingapuram , Annur and Kanuvai have also been affected due to the recent rains and strong winds. The farmers requested the District Administration to offer a compensation of Rs.3,50,000 per acre for the banana farmers.