Farmers in northern parts of Thoothukudi district seek subsidy for wild boar repellents and pesticides

Farmers from the northern parts of Thoothukudi district have urged the government to provide wild boar repellents and armyworm pesticides, at least at a subsidised rate to the maize growers in the region, as the cultivation season has begun for this year.

During the northeast monsoon season, especially in the Tamil month of Purattasi, which usually falls between September and October, farmers in the region including, Vilathikulam, Kovilpatti, Ettayapuram and Pudur engage in cultivation of various crops, including pulses and millets. The average cost of cultivation per acre of these crops amounts to around ₹12,000.

However, for the past few years, the farmers in the regions are continuously affected by unprecedented rainfall and wild boar attacks in the agricultural lands. Adding to the burden, army worm infestation has further impacted the yields.

However this year, many farmers have begun fencing their cultivated lands with mesh net, in an effort to prevent wild boar attack at some level.

Karuppasamy, a farmer from a village in Pudur block said, instead of mesh net, he had fenced his land with thin metal wires. He added that he had lost around ₹2 lakh in the past few months due to wild boar attack. “The animals have completely destroyed yam cultivated in the land and I am still figuring to come out of the loss.”

He noted that, with the maize cultivation under way farmers fear further damage. Mr. Karuppasamy added that the subsidised rate on wild boar repellent will be beneficial for the farmers in the region.

A.Varadharajan, President of Karisal Bhoomi Farmers’ Association, highlighted that 100 feet mesh net for fencing is selling at a cost of ₹2,500. “Most farmers in the region have over 10 acres of land. For them, the mesh net for fencing alone will cost a huge grand,” he added.

He further noted that similarly pesticide for armyworm infestation is selling at cost of ₹1,000 per 80 ml. Mr. Varadharajan has urged the government to consider giving wild boar repellents and armyworm pesticide at a subsidised rate for the farmers.

Speaking on this, an official from agriculture department said, currently the department has no plans on providing wild boar repellents and pesticides at subsidised rate. “We are introducing hybrid variety maize seed to farmers in Thoothukudi district, which are less prone to pest attack,” he added.