General
Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon at the farmers’ grievance redress meeting at Ramanathapuram Collectorate on Friday.
| Photo Credit: BALACHANDAR L
Farmers, during the grievance redress meeting here on Friday, raised their concern about not receiving a fair price for their cotton produce.
Sathyamurthy, a farmer from Kilathuvil, stated: “The Union government has advised giving up to ₹100 per kilogram for cotton. However, in Ramanathapuram district, it is only fetching ₹45 per kilogram. Agriculture officials should set a minimum support price for cotton.”
Also, they demanded to take into note the losses suffered by the farmers and waive crop loans appropriately.
Nagarathinam, a farmer from Pudukudi, said, “In agricultural regulated markets, they claim the cotton is not up to standard and so refuse to fix a suitable price. Adding to this, the commission agents, for their part, form a syndicate and buy cotton at a very low price.”
He blamed the agricultural marketing officials for not taking any action towards that.
“During the rains in October and December, chilies and paddy crops were damaged. The government has not yet provided rain relief. Even after holding protests like rail blockades, the government has not paid attention.” said Pakkiyanathan, president of the Tamil Nadu Vaigai Farmers Association.
A few other farmers, including Mayilvahanan, the district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association, emphasised the need for subsidised pump sets.
They also requested compensation for crops damaged by deer and wild boars and for low-hanging power lines over farmlands to be fixed.
They, further, insisted on using the “100-day work scheme” for labourers to remove seemai karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora) from waterbodies like ponds and lakes.
District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon responding to the farmers, said, “We have sent a report about the rain damage to the Commissioner of Revenue Administration. Rain relief funds will arrive soon.”
Ponds and lakes will be renovated through kudimaramathu work (community maintenance) or with the help of volunteers before the onset of the rainy season, he added.
Published – August 22, 2025 08:34 pm IST