Cyclone Montha Devastates Tenant Farmers – Compensation Demands Rise
Cyclone Montha’s 120 km/h winds destroyed paddy, cotton, and pulse crops across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, leaving thousands of tenant farmers—who lease land—without income or safety nets. The Tenant Farmers’ Association (TFA) warns of a humanitarian crisis unless governments act immediately.
Key Losses & Challenges
- 30% workforce hit: Tenant farmers, excluded from landowner-centric relief, face ₹50K/acre losses.
- No insurance access: PMFBY excludes farmers without land titles.
- Soil salinity: Fields may remain infertile for months.
“We invested loans and labor—now we have nothing.”
— Ramesh Reddy, Tenant Farmer (Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh)
TFA’s 4-Point Demand
- Immediate cash relief: ₹25,000/acre for all cultivators, regardless of ownership.
- Debt freeze: 1-year moratorium on loans.
- PMFBY inclusion: Extend crop insurance to tenant farmers.
- Rehabilitation: Soil restoration + subsidized seeds for next season.
Government Response Falls Short
- Odisha’s ₹6,800 crore package excludes tenant farmers due to documentation gaps.
- Andhra’s “special assessment” risks bureaucratic delays.
“Systemic neglect has left them invisible.”
— K. Venkat Rao, TFA President
On the Ground: Desperation Grows
- Ganjam farmers sell livestock to survive.
- Nellore protests escalate as collectors ignore demands.
Solutions Proposed
- Digital tenant registries (Kerala model).
- Aadhaar-linked direct aid to bypass landownership barriers.
- Climate-resistant crops to reduce future risks.
What’s Next?
- TFA threatens nationwide protests by June 15 if demands are unmet.
- NDMA emergency meeting to review inclusive relief models.
— Reporting by NextMinuteNews in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi.
