Dharmapuri (Tamil Nadu): Sugarcane farmers in Harur and Pappireddipatti are under pressure as the cost of labour for cutting, tying and loading sugarcane for mills has increased sharply this season. Cultivators said labour charges have gone up to Rs 1,350 per tonne, compared to Rs 850 per tonne last year, and they have asked the sugar mill administration to help reduce the burden by offering support for labour expenses, reported The New Indian Express.
The Subramaniya Siva Cooperative Sugar Mill at Gopalapuram began crushing operations last month and is expected to process about 1.04 lakh tonnes of sugarcane this season. However, farmers supplying cane to the mill said the steep rise in labour charges has become a major concern. While the price of sugarcane is fixed at Rs 3,650 per tonne without any state support, farmers said a large share of their earnings is being spent on labour. They appealed to the mill to step in and consider measures such as financial support to ease the cost.
As per the news report, a farmer from Harur said sugarcane cultivation is becoming harder due to increasing labour expenses. He explained that there is a serious shortage of workers in the Harur and Pappireddipatti areas, which has pushed up wages. According to him, labour charges have risen from Rs 850 per tonne last year to Rs 1,350 per tonne now, and they could climb further by the end of the season. He said this would leave farmers with little profit and could result in losses.
He explained that labourers have to cut, separate, clean, bundle and load the cane, a process that usually takes two days. While farmers do not object to workers earning more, he said the sudden and steep increase was unexpected. Farmers had estimated labour costs at around Rs 1,000 per tonne, but the higher rates have caught them unprepared.
He added that farmers have been requesting mills for several years to help with labour costs wherever possible. He said any form of assistance would reduce the financial strain on cultivators.
Responding to the concerns, R Priya, Managing Director of the Subramaniya Siva Cooperative Sugar Mill, said the mill was not responsible for fixing labour charges. She said farmers hire workers directly and negotiate wages among themselves. She also pointed out that efforts by farmers to complete harvesting before Pongal had led to labourers asking for higher pay.
On the demand for subsidies, officials said the decision does not rest with the mill and would require approval at the policy level.
