Kerala sees a decline in paddy production

Pandalam: While this year’s paddy harvest is more than 95 percent complete, according to estimates, the area under cultivation, the number of farmers, and the yield have all declined. A significant reduction is seen in the procurement by Supplyco from those registered for paddy procurement. 

Factors that discourage farmers include agricultural hardships, losses, non-payment after product procurement, increase in prices of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, inadequate infrastructure, wage hikes, and land degradation.