Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss urged both the Union and Tamil Nadu governments to ensure that sugarcane farmers receive Rs. 5,000 per tonne as the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), reported The Hindu.
In a statement, Dr. Ramadoss noted that the Union government has announced that during the upcoming sugar season, the FRP for sugarcane with a sugar recovery rate of 10.25% will be Rs. 3,550 per tonne. For sugarcane cultivated in Tamil Nadu, with a sugar recovery rate of 9.5% or less, the FRP is fixed at Rs. 3,290 per tonne. In 2024-25, the FRP for sugarcane with a 9.5% sugar recovery rate was Rs.3,151 per tonne. Now, the price has been increased by only ₹139 — a mere 4.41%. With the cost of cultivation of sugarcane having increased, this hike is unjust, he said.
Dr. Ramadoss also pointed out that farmers’ organisations in Tamil Nadu have been demanding that Rs. 5,500 per tonne be provided as FRP for sugarcane. When the Centre sets a low FRP, State governments would provide incentives to offset the loss for farmers. Last year, the Tamil Nadu government added an incentive of Rs. 349, resulting in a final procurement price of Rs. 3,500 per tonne, he said.
He appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to hold discussions with the Centre to set the sugarcane procurement price at Rs.4,000 per tonne. He further suggested that the State should offer an additional incentive of Rs. 1,000 per tonne, ensuring that farmers receive a total payment of Rs. 5,000 per tonne.
