Lotus farmers in Thiurnavaya suffer heavy loss due to apathy by the government

Tirur: CP Ashraf and M Ashraf have been sweating profusely despite standing in the cool water in the field at noon. Although tired, they are busy plucking the lotus buds as these buds need to be sent to Bengaluru in the evening train. The buds would droop and lose their charm if they are plucked too early. The natives of Thirunavaya Thazhathara are lotus farmers who grow lotus flowers in seven acres of land in Thirunavaya. 

The duo said that the market fluctuates quite a lot; they enjoy profits sometimes but suffer a loss most of the time. They struggle to make both ends meet by standing in knee-deep water for most of the year. The constantly fluctuating market is what bothers these farmers the most. They say that most of the lotus flowers that they grow are exported to other states. Besides, they are also supplied to a few temples including Guruvayoor. However, the rates are not consistent and keep fluctuating regularly. Sometimes, a single piece of lotus bud costs ₹1 while it could also go up to ₹12. Currently, lotus buds cost ₹5 per piece. 

The farmers are upset that the government hasn’t approved lotus farming as traditional farming. Lack of government aid and support is causing trouble for the farmers in Thirunavaya, the biggest producers of lotus in South India. This year, the rains too weren’t favourable. Hundreds of lotus seeds in CP Ashraf and M Ashraf’s land were damaged due to incessant rains. They silently suffered the huge loss as they were unable even to raise a complaint anywhere. Lots of farmers in Thirunavaya have been suffering such difficulties for ages. These farmers cannot use the water from Kerala Water Authority’s canals as they have not been approved as farmers by the authorities. So, they mostly rely on the nearby canal for water. The farmers can’t grow lotuses when the fields that are filled with water during the rains suddenly dry up. 

It takes three months for the lotus to bloom and the fully grown flowers could be plucked within five months. By that time, the water in the paddy fields would be dried. The farmers cannot sow the seeds here again until next year. They wouldn’t have any other income until then. These lotus farmers do not get any benefits or aids; neither do they enjoy insurance coverage or other services that are offered to traditional farmers. The experience that they have gained by growing lotuses for years is their only asset. 

The lotus farmers of Thirunavaya hope that the government will one day accept them as farmers. They also urge the elected representatives to immediately intervene in this matter.