Farmers get pittance for fly ash slurry damage

Nagpur: Vidarbha farmers, already grappling with extreme weather events, have once again received a pittance from state power generation company Mahagenco against massive crop damage caused due to ash pond breach.Around two months back, the toe drain of Waregaon ash bund of Khaparkheda Thermal Power Station (KTPS) had overflowed following which toxic ash slurry had entered agricultural fields, destroying crops like cotton, tuar, wheat and other vegetables. Even before this incident happened, the bund had breached causing extensive crop damage. Mahagenco recently conducted a survey and gave compensation to the affected farmers, who still stare at financial losses. Farmers claim the compensation amount was disbursed in the bank accounts of land owners. “A lot of us have been working as farmer labourers on others’ agricultural fields. Even though we had invested money from our pockets for cultivating crops, we did not get a single penny,” a farmer said. As per an official document, the compensation amount was distributed among 11 farmers. “For the losses we suffered, this amount is nothing -- a farmer got Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. When officials conduct panchnama, they calculate the amount on the basis of size and type of crops. Important financial factors like cost of tractor, pesticides, manure, irrigation and others are not included,” said a farm labourer.This is not a one-off incident. “We have been suffering the consequences of ash pollution since years. Ash slurry entering our fields and damaging crops is a regular phenomenon now. This compensation is not at all justified,” the farmer added.Environmentalists have been demanding a permanent solution. “If such breaches keep happening, the soil will no longer remain fit for farming,” said Leena Buddhe, founder of Centre for Sustainable Development. Responding to a query by TOI, Mahagenco stated that compensation was given to farmers as per government rules. “It was given only to land owners whose names are written on the 7/12 extract. The list of beneficiaries was provided by the tahsildar,” the Mahagenco stated.

Deficit rainfall puts north Andhra Pradesh paddy farmers at risk of crop loss

Paddy farmers in north Andhra districts are suffering from deficit rainfall, putting their crops at risk. The lack of rain has led to dwindling water in tanks and a lack of irrigation for tail-end lands, leaving over 40,000 acres of crops in danger. In Vizianagaram district, 45% of farm fields rely on rainfall, and the absence of rain has caused critical conditions in several areas. If rain does not arrive soon, an additional 24,000 acres of crops are expected to face permanent damage. Officials are urging support for farmers and considering drought-affected declarations.

Farmers level paddy on 30 acres as crop withers without water

Farmers in Erumanur village in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, have destroyed paddy crops on 30 acres of land due to a lack of irrigation water. The crops withered within 40 days of sowing as the region did not receive enough rainfall. The farmers attempted to revive the crops by using water from borewells but were unsuccessful. They have requested the government to form a committee to assess the extent of the loss and provide compensation.

Farmer's son killed while processing crop residue in Haryana's Jind

A 19-year-old student in Jind district, Haryana, lost his life after falling into a crop residue cutter machine while trying to clear an obstruction. The victim, identified as Sonit, was processing crop residue when the incident occurred. His sister, who was nearby, rushed to the scene but was unable to save him. The police have initiated an investigation and handed over the remains to the family. The tragedy has left the farming family devastated.