Seed shortage delays sowing in Kuttanad; farmers fear weed growth

Mankombu: Farmers across Kuttanad are facing severe hardships as paddy cultivation remains stalled due to an acute shortage of seeds.
Most fields had been prepared for sowing by Monday, the tenth day of the Malayalam month Thulam, but many have yet to receive seeds from the Agriculture Department. Frustrated farmers say officials are unable to even confirm when supplies will arrive, leaving their fields idle and their plans uncertain.

Farmers fear that if sowing is delayed further, weeds may take over the prepared fields. Once weeds grow and the fields dry out, re-irrigation and clearing will cause additional delays. As a result, many padasekhara samithis (polder committees) are hesitant to start irrigation.

This year, farmers made early preparations for sowing after the previous puncha crop was lost to saline water intrusion. The current shortage of seeds has only worsened their woes.

At Marthandam Kayal, under the Kainakari Krishi Bhavan, farmers had submitted applications for seeds as early as July. The 600-acre field, cultivated by 269 farmers, typically receives its seed supply by late September or early October. However, despite completing field preparation, seeds have not yet arrived this year. Farmers say they are ready to sow as soon as the supply reaches them. Any further delay could push them into financial distress due to weed growth and the risk of saline water intrusion.

“Unless sowing is done on time, saline water may intrude by the time of harvest. Last year, even though sowing was completed by November 10, there was still a threat of saline water. To avoid that, we made arrangements for early sowing this year. Last year, seeds were available by the first week of October. This time, they are still unavailable. We could have explored alternatives if Agriculture Department officials had informed us whether seeds would be supplied or not,” said A. Shihab, secretary of the Marthandam Kayal Padasekhara Samithi.

Authorities dismiss shortage claims
Responding to the issue, N. G. Vyas, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Champakulam, maintained that there was no seed crisis.
According to him, sowing in Kuttanad generally begins after the tenth day of Thulam. Although steps were taken to ensure seed availability around that time, heavy rain caused disruptions. Seeds received from the National Seed Corporation (NSC) on the 25th had to be returned due to quality issues, he said. The replacement lot from NSC is expected by the 30th.

“For those in urgent need, seeds were provided from local farms and the university,” he added, noting that this was discussed during a meeting of all padasekhara samithis. In fields where the second crop is under way, ilavithu (sprouted seeds) has been arranged. For those not requiring seeds from the university, the equivalent amount will be credited to their accounts. Unlike previous years, the full allocation for seed procurement has already been released, he said.