Tiruchy: Farmers in the Delta region have urged the State government to include locally sourced jaggery and two pieces of edible sugarcane in this year’s Pongal package for ration card holders, reports DT Next.
They pointed out that the annual festive package, given to more than 2.32 crore families, usually contains sugar and a single piece of sugarcane. Replacing sugar with achu vellam (mould jaggery) and supplying two canes instead of one, they said, would provide meaningful support to thousands of sugarcane growers.
Farmers alleged that although the government pays contractors ₹35 per cane, middlemen with political links buy sugarcane from growers for just ₹13–15. “This leaves farmers at a loss. The government should buy directly from us and fix the price at ₹45 per cane this year so that we receive a fair return for our work,” said Sambantham, a sugarcane farmer from Umayalpuram in Thanjavur. He also requested direct payment to farmers’ bank accounts to avoid any financial irregularities.
They further appealed that the jaggery included in the Pongal kit be procured from local producers, saying this would benefit the many workers engaged in traditional jaggery making.
