Cauvery Delta Farmers Voice Disappointment Over Union Budget 2026
Farmers' leaders from the Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu expressed significant disappointment on Sunday regarding the Union Budget 2026, stating that it failed to address their long-standing demands. Key issues such as a statutory Minimum Support Price (MSP), the interlinking of national rivers, and the waiver of agricultural loans were notably absent from the budget announcements, leaving the agricultural community feeling neglected.
Unmet Demands and Criticisms
Swamimalai S Vimal Nathan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association based in Thanjavur, highlighted that the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Committee on revising MSP have yet to be fully implemented. He criticized the central government for its silence on the crucial issue of river interlinking, which is vital for water management in the delta region. Additionally, Nathan pointed out a stark contrast: while farm loans have not been waived since 2007, large corporate loans are periodically written off, raising concerns about equity and support for small-scale farmers.
Mixed Reactions to Agricultural Initiatives
Despite the criticisms, farmers welcomed the proposed Coconut Promotion Scheme aimed at boosting production and productivity. However, they questioned the Union government's reluctance to ban palm oil imports. Farmers argue that curbing palm oil consumption and promoting alternatives like coconut and gingelly oil would significantly benefit those in coconut-growing regions such as Thanjavur, Coimbatore, and Tirupur, enhancing local economies and sustainability.
Vague Announcements and Ignored Priorities
Mahadanapuram V Rajaram, working president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers' Welfare Association, described the budget announcements claiming to enhance farmers' income as vague and lacking concrete measures. He added that rural development and livelihood support for farmers had been largely ignored, which could hinder progress in agricultural communities. Furthermore, farmers flagged the absence of announcements on organic and natural farming, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent participation in the Natural Farming Summit 2025 held in Coimbatore, suggesting a disconnect between policy and practice.
Hope for Future Parliamentary Sessions
In light of these concerns, farmers expressed hope that the Centre would address their issues in the remaining sessions of Parliament. They emphasized the need for more focused and actionable policies to support agriculture, which remains a backbone of the Indian economy, particularly in regions like the Cauvery delta. The budget's oversight has sparked calls for greater attention to farmer welfare and sustainable agricultural practices in future legislative discussions.
