Every farmer’s family went to banyan company, school and college. At present only elderly farmers are involved in agriculture. Due to this, the cultivation of not only cotton but also other crops has decreased drastically.
Farmers said:
Rasu Mani, Chinnariapatti:
Before this we would only cultivate cotton, groundnut and turmeric. Today, agricultural crops like onion, tomato and coconut have changed. Everyone in the family will bring the cotton home safely. After that, let’s put the people and take them apart. The cotton harvest should be completed before the heat arrives. Cotton farming existed as long as it was a joint family. Now that situation has changed and cotton farming has also stopped.
Sakthivel, Krishnapuram:
Young people have moved to cities in search of other jobs. People are not available. Wages have also gone up. Cotton cultivation is not very profitable. Tirupur Cotton Market used to be overflowing with cotton bales.
Today the Cotton Market complex is in a different use. Cotton cultivation has stopped in Pongalur, Uthukuli, Kangayam and Palladam. Only a few people in Tarapuram, Saveur, Puliyampatti, Annuar etc. are engaged in cotton farming.
As prices have been good in the last few months, some have planned to grow cotton. Due to the current fall in prices they have also abandoned their decision.