KOCHI: As the situation in Wayanad is becoming grave due to farmer suicides, their counterparts in Idukki district are also facing similar plight, as the prices of the crops are plunging day by day.Many farmers, who took heavy loans from banks with the hope that the prices of the crops such as cardamom and tea will improve, are unable to repay. The dreams of farmers, who have relied on the Idukki Package, are yet to be realised.In November 2008, the Union Government approved a Rs 764.45 crore package, prepared by M S Swaminathan, in view of the farmer suicides. Later the package amount was raised to Rs 1,100 crore. However, the implementation of the project has not yet begun. The package had crop-specific suggestions.Out of the Rs1,100 crore, Rs 400 crore was earmarked for various government bodies like Tea Board, Spices Board and Coconut Board. An amount of Rs 120 crore was set aside for pepper farming. Some funds were also given for the dairy development in the district.In May this year, the UDF government had promised that more funds will be provided to enhance the farming sector in the district. An additional `250 crore fund was promised for reviving the cardamom sector. But until now, nothing has been realised.In 2005, when Kerala underwent a similar agrarian crisis, it was Wayanad and Idukki that topped the list in farmers suicides. It was then that the Idukki Package was formulated and debt waiver was promised. At first, it was said that Rs 700 crore will be given for debt relief. But it was later excluded from the package.According to Roy Thomas a farmer’s association member, agriculture in Idukki is undergoing a severe crisis. “No crops are profitable. Cardamom price is falling day by day. Tea price has not made any good improvement, and the pepper price has been plunging. The government had promised several packages and debt waiver, but we haven’t received any benefit from it. Most of the farmers take credit, but the current market price makes it hard to repay the entire loan. The prevailing condition will lead to farmer suicides in Idukki also”, he said.Cardamom Growers Association executive secretary, K K Devasia said that currently the crisis is not grave as in 2005, but it would turn worse if the prices of the crops fall further.”The prices of the plantation crops are very low and labour charge is very high. “We are hoping on the northern market for the improvement of the price,” he said.
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