Chennai, Dec 15 (NationPress) Weeks after significant crop damage was reported throughout the Cauvery Delta due to the northeast monsoon and Cyclone Ditwah, farmers are left in a state of anxiety regarding the crop damage assessment, which is vital for securing compensation and resuming farming activities.

Although the state government's choice to eliminate the app-based GPS verification system in favor of traditional manual methods was met with approval following extensive protests, farmers remain doubtful about the timely completion of the assessment and the prompt distribution of compensation.

Severe rainfall across the delta regions devastated samba and thalady crops, inundating nearly 90,000 hectares, approximately 2.22 lakh acres, of farmland. In numerous areas, water stagnation persisted for over a week post-rainfall, leading to extensive crop spoilage and leaving farmers uncertain about the sustainability of their fields for future planting cycles.

In late October, the government initiated crop damage assessments with an upgraded GPS verification system. However, technical difficulties, including network failures and field challenges, significantly hampered progress.

As delays accumulated, farmers across the delta called for a return to traditional methods, asserting that the digital approach was inadequate under disaster conditions.

In response to ongoing protests, the government reverted to manual enumeration, while still maintaining a minimum of 10% app-based verification in each district. Despite this transition, farmers express that the assessment's speed remains inconsistent. Many are hesitant to begin land preparations until the assessment is finalized, fearing it might impact damage verification and their eligibility for compensation.

Simultaneously, postponing land preparation poses risks of further degradation and could jeopardize the upcoming planting season. Staff shortages have exacerbated the issue, as Assistant Agriculture Officers responsible for evaluations have been assigned to multiple revenue villages, complicating timely and accurate survey completion.

Farmers contend that the demands placed on each officer are unrealistic, especially during a widespread crisis affecting numerous districts. The damage encompasses Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, along with parts of Pudukkottai and Tiruchy, with Nagapattinam experiencing the worst conditions after receiving around 300 mm of rainfall in a mere 36 hours.

Sensitive samba and thalady crops, only two weeks old, were completely submerged in many areas. Officials from the agriculture department have stated that efforts are currently being made to expedite the process and clear existing backlogs.

To address the workforce shortage, additional Assistant Agriculture Officers have been relocated from non-delta regions, and assessment tasks are being conducted intensively.

Officials report that a considerable portion of the evaluation has been completed, with the remaining surveys expected to conclude soon, allowing compensation processes to commence and enabling farmers to restore their fields and prepare for the next agricultural cycle.