Kottayam: Owing to the heat wave conditions, the rice production in Kerala  has decreased considerably. During harvest, certain farmers in the upper Kuttanad region only received a meagre 250-300 kilograms of rice from a single acre instead of the more than 2500 kilogram yield in normal circumstances.

Operating the harvesting machine for an hour will cost the farmer around Rs 1,800. At the moment, this money is a loss for the farmers due to low yield. Unable to afford this, a few farmers are reportedly burning down their crops, preparing the land for the next season.  

“I cultivated around 40 acres this season. The expenses would amount to Rs 35,000 per acre. In the previous years, sometimes the profits rose up to even Rs 8 lakhs, but this year has been devastating when it comes to income,” a farmer from Kottayam said. 

“Rice production has taken a hit in regions including Kumarakom, Nattakom, Kumaranalloor, Thiruvarpu and Changanassery,” said Rajeena Ashraf, district president of farmers’ protection committee.

According to professor Nimmy Jose of the Rice Research Station at Moncompu, “Soaring temperatures have proven detrimental to paddy cultivation this season.”

“We don't know when the farmers will receive the compensation money from the agricultural department. We expect the funds to be released soon,” said Ebi Iype, general secretary of farmers’ congress in Kottayam.