Dharmapuri: Sugarcane farmers in Dharmapuri supplying red sugarcane to the cooperative department have expressed dissatisfaction over the prices they receive. Although the state government announced a rate of Rs 38 per cane, including transport and labour costs, farmers said they are left with only Rs 25 per cane after deductions, reports The New Indian Express.
In Dharmapuri district, the cooperative department is procuring red sugarcane for distribution as part of the Pongal gift hamper announced by the state government. Around 4.75 lakh ration cardholders in the district are set to receive the hamper. To ensure adequate supply, red sugarcane is being procured from parts of Dharmapuri and Salem districts from a total of 67 farmers.
R Eshwaran, a farmer from Keelanur village, said that the initial announcement of Rs 38 per cane had raised hopes among growers, especially since the open market price ranged between Rs 38 and Rs 40. He said farmers later realised that the full amount was not paid to them, as a large portion was deducted towards transport and labour charges, resulting in losses. He urged the government to revise the procurement rates.
K Semmalar, a farmer from Kannipatti village, said prices of red sugarcane usually rise during the Pongal season and farmers had expected better returns. She said the cooperative department was paying only Rs 25 per cane, which had also led to a drop in private market prices. According to her, traders are now offering between Rs 26 and Rs 28 per cane. She added that if the government fixed the price at Rs 30 per cane, farmers would be willing to deliver the produce directly to ration shops.
Responding to the issue, Joint Registrar of the Cooperative Department K T Saravanan said there was confusion regarding the announced price. He said the Rs 38 per cane fixed by the state government included labour charges, handling costs and transportation expenses. He added that procurement prices differ across districts based on availability.
He explained that red sugarcane is collected from farms, stored at cooperative offices and then distributed in batches to around 1,100 ration shops. As many ration shops lack sufficient storage space, multiple trips are required. He said expenses related to quality checks and repeated transportation were included in the Rs 38 fixed by the government.
Saravanan added that while red sugarcane was procured from 54 farmers last year, the number has increased to 67 farmers this year across Dharmapuri and Salem districts.
