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Crops worth Rs 3.5 crore destroyed in rains in Malappuram

MALAPPURAM: Due to heavy summer rains, accompanied by gushy wind, widespread damage to plantain crops has been reported in the district.

According to officials at the agriculture department, the estimated loss of plantain farmers in Malappuram amounts to Rs 3.62 crore when the summer rains destroyed plantain cultivation in around 116 hectares across the district.

According to the data, more than 1.96 lakh plantain trees were destroyed in the rain and wind and this affected more than 1,100 plantain farmers.

Crops cultivated in low-lying areas, were the worst affected. Summer rains had badly affcted crops in Kondotty, Pulikkal Nanambra, Edarikode, Moothedam, Perumanna Klari, Oorngattiri, Karulayi, Ooorakam, Nediyirupp, Edakkara, Manjeri, Thrikkalangode, Perumbadapu, Pulppatta, Pothukal, Vazahkkada, Chungataram Marakkaram Cheekode, Edavanna, Areekode, , Thenhipakam Mankaa Morayur, Kannamangalam, Keezhuparamba, Vengara, Nilambur, Edakkara, Vazahyur, Pookkotur and Anakkayam regions. Vazhakkad and Vazhayoor are major plantain cultivation centres in state and the bananas from these regions are hot favourites of traders.

The heavy rain also seriously affected cultivation of crops like coconut, betel leaves, rubber and pepper. Farmers cultivating tapioca and vegetables also suffered loss in various parts of the district.

The district had also recorded a crop loss worth Rs 1.7 crore due to the water shortage after severe drought. Paddy farmers are worst hit by the water shortage. According to the statistics with the authorities, 304 farmers failed to harvest paddy due to water shortage. 108 plantain farmers also were affected by the severe drought.

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