Palakkad Farmers Observe Chingam 1 as ‘Betrayal Day’ Over Government Neglect

Palakkad farmers will mark Chingam 1 in 2025 not as a day of celebration, but as ‘Betrayal Day’. This symbolic protest, led by the Kuzhalmannam Block Padashekara Samithi Coordination Committee, reflects growing anger over the government’s continued neglect of farmers’ struggles. Over 25,000 paddy farmers in Palakkad are still waiting for payment for their crops, months after the procurement period ended. Compensation under the climate-based crop insurance scheme has also been pending since 2022.

Farmers in Palakkad are turning Chingam 1, usually an auspicious day, into ‘Betrayal Day’ to protest government neglect. Their main demands higher support prices for paddy, timely payments, and crop insurance compensation have gone unanswered for years. Instead of celebrations, farmers will march from Kulavan Mukku to the Assistant Director of Agriculture’s office at 10 AM. The protest is led by Vice Chairman P R Karunakaran and other local leaders. They’ve also announced a boycott of Agriculture Department meetings tied to Farmers’ Day. This protest is part of a wider state level frustration. Despite government programs like the Poshaka Samriddhi Mission, farmers across Kerala say key issues remain unresolved, fueling ongoing discontent and activism.

Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2025/08/01/farmers-betrayal-day-chingam1.html