COIMBATORE: Severe water scarcity due to the absence of rainfall has affected Vadamalli (gram flower) farmers in Thondamuthur Block, with crops beginning to wither in several villages.
Farmers in the region traditionally cultivate the flower crop under rain-fed conditions, relying on the southwest monsoon. This year, however, the lack of summer rains in May and delayed monsoon have left the fields dry, causing widespread damage.
Over 500 acres of Vadamalli have been planted across four villages — Vadivelampalayam, Mugasimangalam, Molapalayam, and Kalimangalam — with the intention of harvesting during the Onam season. The 150-day crop typically begins yielding from the 120th day and requires relatively less water compared to other crops.
"My 80-day-old gram flower plants have started withering due to water scarcity," said M Senthilkumar (45), a farmer from Vadivelampalayam who has cultivated the crop on three acres. "Normally, we get rain during the southwest monsoon, but there has been none this season."
He added that he has invested around Rs 30,000 per acre, which now risks going to waste. Other crops like maize, toor dal, broad beans, and pumpkin in the area have also begun wilting.
T Ragavendran (34), another farmer from the region who grew Vadamalli on two acres, said the plants started withering within 70 days. He also noted an unusual problem. "Normally, wild boars do not touch the Vadamalli crop, but due to the dry conditions and lack of food, they have now started eating the plants." With reduced arrivals expected from the Coimbatore region, farmers anticipate a sharp rise in flower prices during the upcoming Onam season. To mitigate their losses, the affected farmers have appealed to the government to provide compensation, particularly to small and marginal farmers who have suffered heavy economic loss.