Fri Oct 24 15:34:26 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
Farmers in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, India, are facing significant challenges due to wild boar attacks and armyworm infestations, particularly affecting maize cultivation. They are calling on the government to provide subsidized wild boar repellents and armyworm pesticides to mitigate their losses. Many farmers have resorted to using mesh nets for fencing, but the cost is prohibitive for large landholdings. The agriculture department acknowledges the issue but currently offers no subsidized repellents or pesticides, instead promoting hybrid maize seeds resistant to pests.
News Article:
Thoothukudi Farmers Plead for Subsidized Pest Control as Wild Boar, Armyworms Decimate Crops
Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu – October 24, 2025 – Farmers in the Thoothukudi district are struggling to protect their livelihoods as wild boar attacks and armyworm infestations devastate crops, particularly during the crucial northeast monsoon season. With maize cultivation underway, farmers are urgently requesting government assistance in the form of subsidized wild boar repellents and pesticides.
Cultivation costs in regions like Vilathikulam, Kovilpatti, Ettayapuram, and Pudur are already substantial, averaging around ₹12,000 per acre. The added pressure of wild boar damage and armyworm plagues is pushing many farmers to the brink. Some have taken to fencing their fields with mesh nets as a deterrent, but the expense can be crippling.
“I’ve lost around ₹2 lakh in the past few months due to wild boar,” said Karuppasamy, a farmer from Pudur block. “The animals completely destroyed my yam crop, and I’m barely recovering. Subsidized repellents would be a lifeline.”
A. Varadharajan, President of the Karisal Bhoomi Farmers’ Association, emphasized the financial burden, noting that 100 feet of mesh net costs ₹2,500. “For farmers with over 10 acres, the fencing costs alone are astronomical,” he stated. He added that armyworm pesticides are also costly.
While acknowledging the challenges, an official from the agriculture department stated that there are no current plans to subsidize repellents or pesticides. “We are introducing hybrid maize seeds to farmers in Thoothukudi district that are less prone to pest attacks,” the official said.
However, farmers argue that while resistant seeds are helpful, they do not fully address the immediate threat posed by wild boar and existing armyworm populations. The lack of subsidized support leaves many fearing for their yields and financial stability in the coming months. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle of farmers in the region as they navigate environmental pressures and economic realities.
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