Farmers urge govt to provide enough high quality seeds

Alappuzha, July 9 (UNI) Farmers have urged the Kerala government to provide enough high quality seeds for this year's cultivation in Kuttanad in the district, known as the rice bowl of the state.

According to farmers' association, there was a shortage of quality seeds and the varieties available, 'Jyothi and Uma', take time of about 200 days to reach maturity.

Meanwhile, Assistant Director of Agriculture Department at Champakkulam I Rajamani said, ''the department will take necessary steps for the availability of seeds.'' Natural calamities had also taken a toll on agriculture in Kuttanad as 16 collective paddy fields were destroyed and around 4,000 hectares of farmland waterlogged.

UNI