The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers' Protection Association has issued an urgent appeal to the state government. They are calling for an immediate high-level consultative meeting involving farmers and senior officials. The goal is to finalize the procurement policy for the upcoming samba and thaladi paddy seasons before harvesting begins.
Procurement Delays and Election Priorities Criticized
Farmers in the Cauvery delta districts are growing increasingly anxious. Early harvesting of the samba crop is scheduled to commence in the first week of January 2024. They have highlighted significant delays in both announcing the official procurement policy and holding essential preparatory meetings.
The association pointed out that officials appear to be prioritizing election-related activities over this critical agricultural planning. This has left farmers in a state of uncertainty regarding government purchase plans, pricing, and procedures for their impending harvest.
A Plea for Dialogue Following a Three-Year Gap
Sundara Vimalanathan, the secretary of the association, revealed that the last such high-level meeting was held in Thanjavur during the 2021-22 season. "Since then, no meetings have taken place, resulting in various problems for farmers," he stated. This three-year gap in formal consultation has exacerbated challenges in the procurement process.
Farmers have drawn comparisons with procedures in other major paddy-producing states. They noted that states like Karnataka, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal routinely conduct discussions between their chief secretaries and farmer representatives well ahead of procurement cycles.
Demand for Enhanced Minimum Support Price Incentive
Beyond urgent dialogue, the farmers have put forward a key financial demand. They are seeking an increase in the incentive provided over the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the Union government.
Vimalanathan emphasized this point, stating, "We urge the government to match Rs 3,100 per quintal provided in Chhattisgarh and Odisha." This call for price parity aims to ensure Tamil Nadu farmers receive remuneration competitive with their counterparts in other states, helping cover rising cultivation costs.
The association's appeal underscores a critical juncture for Tamil Nadu's agricultural sector. With the harvest clock ticking, the need for swift government action to ensure a smooth and fair procurement season is now paramount.
