Chennai: Sugarcane farmers of Tamil Nadu staged a protest in Chennai recently, demanding higher prices for their produce and action on long-pending issues affecting their livelihoods. Their primary demands include fixing the sugarcane price at Rs 5,500 per tonne, reported News Click.
The Tamil Nadu Sugarcane Farmers Association (TNSFA), which led the protest, also called on the government to implement the recommendations of the M S Swaminathan Commission.
The other major demands included revamping of cooperative sugar mills and disbursal of Rs 1,217 crore due to farmers from 24 private sugar mills for sugarcane procurement during 2014-17.
The central government recently increased the fair and remunerative price (FRP) to Rs 3,550 per tonne for a 10.25% sugar recovery rate. However, the TNSFA dismissed this as inadequate, reiterating their demand for Rs 5,500 per tonne for a slightly lower recovery rate of 9.5%.
TNSFA General Secretary D Raveendran, speaking to Newsclick, said, “We are demanding an FRP of Rs 5,500 per tonne for a 9.5% sugar recovery rate. The state government should scrap the RSF and reintroduce the SAP and ensure Rs 4,000 per tonne as promised.”
Farmers allege that sugar mills often delay payments for cane they procure, causing severe financial stress. They submitted a detailed memorandum to the Director of Sugar, demanding urgent release of their dues.
The association also highlighted the closure of several cooperative and public sector mills due to mismanagement by successive state governments. They claim that even private mills with stable finances are not paying farmers as promised.
“The state must reopen cooperative mills to give farmers a fair deal. This will boost sugarcane farming and provide employment opportunities,” said Raveendran.
