Nagercoil, March 21: Maria Jennifer, the Naam Tamilar Katchi state administrator and Kanyakumari Assembly constituency candidate, participated in a protest organized by the Agricultural Association and Water Irrigation Association to show support for farmers. Speaking at the event, she stated that they have been consistently highlighting the poor state of direct paddy procurement centers in Kumari, which lack even basic infrastructure. There are no proper storage rooms to protect the paddy bags, which are currently being covered only by tarpaulins in open spaces. Furthermore, there are no mechanical dryers at these centers. Consequently, farmers in the naturally humid Kanyakumari district are unable to provide paddy at the government-fixed 17% moisture level. Recent heavy rains in the district have soaked the paddy bags, increasing moisture content. Procurement officials have allegedly instructed farmers to dry the paddy themselves. Jennifer criticized the administration for not providing basic facilities like roofed structures and mechanical dryers, forcing farmers into a difficult situation. She condemned the government's anti-farmer stance and pledged that the Naam Tamilar Katchi would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the farmers in their ongoing struggle.