Thiruvananthapuram, the Congress-led opposition UDF on Tuesday staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly alleging that the government has failed to address the concerns of farmers who have been facing crop losses and provide them with timely financial assistance.
Even though farmers suffered a loss of about Rs 1,000 crore due to climate change-induced heat waves and subsequent extreme rainfall, the Left government in the state is yet to announce a comprehensive financial package for them, they said.
The UDF urged the government to make a profound change in its policy in the agriculture, construction and development sectors in the wake of climate change and related natural phenomena.
Presenting a notice for an adjournment motion on the matter, IUML legislator Kurukkoli Moideen detailed the plight of farmers in the state.
Elaborating on their woes, opposition leader VD Satheesan said Kerala has experienced the dangerous impacts of climate change.
He said that as per the government's preliminary estimate, there have been crop losses of between Rs 500-600 million, but "in fact, there has been crop damage to the tune of at least Rs 1,000 million."
Crop failure is adding to other problems in the agriculture sector and despite such a serious situation, the government has been reluctant to announce a package to support struggling farmers, he said.
"About 60,000 farmers were affected by drought and 50,000 by rains in the state," Satheesan said.
The Congress leader also alleged that farmers in the state were yet to receive dues of Rs 51 crore in crop insurance payments, besides additional crop insurance compensation of Rs 30 crore.
Several people, including rice farmers, have ended their lives due to financial difficulties, the LoP alleged.
If these circumstances continue, Kerala will enter a dire situation where farmers will abandon their traditional means of livelihood, he warned.
However, state Agriculture Minister P Prasad rejected all allegations by the opposition and said the government was taking all possible measures to support farmers and the agriculture sector.
He admitted that heatwaves and extreme rainfall had negatively affected the lives and livelihoods of thousands of farmers in the state.
He detailed various measures the government is taking to address the situation and concerns of farmers.
Crop insurance based on climate change is being implemented in the state and its coverage has been extended to more crops, the minister added.
When Speaker AN Shamseer rejected the motion's approval based on the minister's response, the UDF staged a walkout at the house as a mark of protest.
Even though farmers suffered a loss of about Rs 1,000 crore due to climate change-induced heat waves and subsequent extreme rainfall, the Left government in the state is yet to announce a comprehensive financial package for them, they said.
The UDF urged the government to make a profound change in its policy in the agriculture, construction and development sectors in the wake of climate change and related natural phenomena.
Presenting a notice for an adjournment motion on the matter, IUML legislator Kurukkoli Moideen detailed the plight of farmers in the state.
Elaborating on their woes, opposition leader VD Satheesan said Kerala has experienced the dangerous impacts of climate change.
He said that as per the government's preliminary estimate, there have been crop losses of between Rs 500-600 million, but "in fact, there has been crop damage to the tune of at least Rs 1,000 million."
Crop failure is adding to other problems in the agriculture sector and despite such a serious situation, the government has been reluctant to announce a package to support struggling farmers, he said.
"About 60,000 farmers were affected by drought and 50,000 by rains in the state," Satheesan said.
The Congress leader also alleged that farmers in the state were yet to receive dues of Rs 51 crore in crop insurance payments, besides additional crop insurance compensation of Rs 30 crore.
Several people, including rice farmers, have ended their lives due to financial difficulties, the LoP alleged.
If these circumstances continue, Kerala will enter a dire situation where farmers will abandon their traditional means of livelihood, he warned.
However, state Agriculture Minister P Prasad rejected all allegations by the opposition and said the government was taking all possible measures to support farmers and the agriculture sector.
He admitted that heatwaves and extreme rainfall had negatively affected the lives and livelihoods of thousands of farmers in the state.
He detailed various measures the government is taking to address the situation and concerns of farmers.
Crop insurance based on climate change is being implemented in the state and its coverage has been extended to more crops, the minister added.
When Speaker AN Shamseer rejected the motion's approval based on the minister's response, the UDF staged a walkout at the house as a mark of protest.
