Paddy Farmers Announce Hunger Strike

Quick Summary

• Paddy farmers from the Ponnani Kole wetlands in Kerala are protesting delayed payments for paddy procured by the State government.
• Payments have been pending for over five months since Supplyco, a state procurement agency, purchased their produce in May 2025.
• Farmers plan to hold a hunger strike at changaramkulam near Edappal on Onam day under the Kole Protection Committee banner.
• ₹18.5 crore is owed by Supplyco to 2,957 farmers from Malappuram and Thrissur districts.
• Payments were to be facilitated through loans from State Bank of India and Canara Bank, but loan ceilings reportedly hindered fund disbursement.
• Bank officials did not comment on the issue when approached.
• The Kole wetlands are ecologically significant and account for nearly 40% of Kerala’s rice production while supporting thousands of livelihoods.

Indian Opinion Analysis
This protest exposes critical gaps in systemic coordination between procurement agencies like Supplyco and banking institutions responsible for facilitating farmer payments. Given that thes delays affect nearly 3,000 farmers reliant on timely compensation during an economic season marked by festival expenses like Onam,the situation underscores how bureaucratic hurdles can exacerbate rural distress.The resolution requires both immediate intervention to release funds and preventive measures ensuring smoother processes moving forward-not just as an economic necessity but also as recognition of agricultural ecosystems like the Kole wetlands’ contribution to food security and biodiversity conservation in Kerala.

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