The farmer in the second photo comes to his banana plantation every day and goes back with a head load of grass for his animals at home. He owns a provision shop in the village market, which gives him an added income to the retirement benefits he receives every month. He likes farming and he did not want to leave his farm unused, although he finds it difficult to labour on his own for the upkeep of the farm.
The first picture shows how most of the farms adjacent to his farm are used by a rubber nursery to supply saplings to different parts in India.
It was when he told me in some detail, I grasped the crisis that farmers go through, on account of not getting fair price, because of which land is given on a contract for commercial purpose.
During my younger days, the fields below our cottage were paddy fields, when labourers were available and farming was yielding to maintain a small family. Now it is a burden to cultivate as crops do not fetch the returns.
For this farmer, he has other sources of income because of which, he is not under stress. He told me that there are others whom he knew in our village, who live dependent on their children's income. There are families who do not get that support from their children.
When I see a farmer carries a head load of grass from the field, I am reminded of families for whom, an additional income is essential to manage their home front.
I do not get an indication that the government measures are reaching every person to make life easier for them!
If the Churches in our villages were to avoid the huge expenditure during their festivals, they would have enough resource to offer support to people in need in the neighbourhood! I wish it would happen!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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