Coimbatore: Sugarcane farmers in Salem district, particularly in Poolampatti and nearby villages, have appealed to the State government to announce at the earliest whether sugarcane will be procured directly from farmers for distribution along with Pongal gift hampers to ration cardholders, reports The Hindu.
Sugarcane is grown on more than 1,000 acres across several parts of the district, including Poolampatti, Koodakal, Kuppanur, Pillukurichi, Onamparaiyur, Nedunkulam, Siluvampalayam and Koneripatti in Edappadi taluk; Kannantheri in Sankari taluk; Kulanaickenpatti in Mettur; Muthunaickenpatti in Omalur; and Siddar Kovil near Elampillai. Owing to good rainfall and adequate groundwater and Cauvery water supply this year, planting began in April and May, and the crop is now ready for harvest.
Every year during the Pongal festival, the government announces the distribution of sugarcane along with Pongal gift hampers to ration cardholders across the State. With the festival less than a month away and harvesting already underway, farmers have urged the government to clarify its plan without delay.
N. Babu Janardhanan, a farmer from Poolampatti, said that nearly 500 acres in and around the village alone are under sugarcane cultivation. He recalled that in previous years, the government had procured sugarcane directly from farmers and paid ₹35 per cane, which included transport and harvesting costs. He said farmers are now concerned by reports suggesting that only a cash gift may be given to ration cardholders this Pongal.
He added that farmers planted sugarcane this season with the expectation of direct government procurement. If only cash assistance is announced, a large portion of the crop may be bought by middlemen at very low prices. He urged the Chief Minister to take farmers’ interests into account and make a clear announcement soon.
Another farmer, S. Rajesh, said middlemen have already begun purchasing sugarcane in and around Poolampatti for ₹17 to ₹18 per cane by claiming that government procurement for Pongal is unlikely this year. He said the government should step in to ensure that sugarcane is procured directly from farmers without the involvement of intermediaries.
