Thu Sep 25 15:12:03 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**The Hindu: Farmers Protest Meager Crop Insurance Payouts in Virudhunagar**

**Narikudi & A. Mukkulam, India – September 25, 2025** – Farmers in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu are expressing strong dissatisfaction with the compensation received from a crop insurance company for paddy crop losses suffered during the 2024-25 season. The losses were attributed to insufficient water for irrigation in the Narikudi and A. Mukkulam regions.

A meeting was convened today by the Department of Agriculture, bringing together district officials including Virudhunagar district Joint Director Sumathi, Personal Assistant (Agriculture) to Collector Manimegalai, and representatives from the unnamed insurance company, including one official named Subburaj, to address the growing farmer unrest.

The meeting followed a series of protests organized by farmers, led by R. Ram Pandian, Virudhunagar district president of the Cauvery Vaigai Kiruthumal Gundar Irrigation Farmers Federation. Farmers are outraged by the paltry compensation offered, ranging between ₹500 to ₹700, which Mr. Ram Pandian blames on incorrect calculations by the insurance company.

“It looks like the crop insurance scheme is aimed at benefiting the insurance company even when the farmers face a huge loss,” said Mr. Ram Pandian, emphasizing the disparity between the premiums paid by farmers and the compensation received.

Farmers are demanding a re-evaluation of the compensation methodology, calling for village-level assessments of crop losses and a significant increase in payouts. They are also requesting the inclusion of banana plantain crops in the crop insurance scheme.

Government officials present stated that the matter would be escalated to the State Government for review. The farmers have urged officials to conduct thorough inspections of all affected villages.

This incident highlights growing concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of crop insurance schemes in protecting farmers from the impacts of climate-related agricultural challenges. The outcome of the State Government’s review will be crucial in determining the future of crop insurance for farmers in the region.

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