Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has voiced concerns over the dire situation facing sugarcane farmers in Tamil Nadu due to the outbreak of fungal diseases in their crops, reported Telangana Today.
In response, he has urged the state government to take immediate action by offering a minimum compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre to assist the affected cane growers.
Palaniswami highlighted that in addition to grappling with fungal diseases such as Pokkaboing and root grub, sugarcane fields are also under threat from wild boar attacks. He noted that even Villupuram, the home district of State Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam, has not been immune to these challenges. Approximately 25,000 acres of sugarcane were cultivated in the district, but a significant portion, around 8,000 acres, has been severely impacted by the aforementioned diseases.
The situation has left farmers, who had taken loans from banks to finance their crop cultivation, unable to repay their debts due to substantial losses. The affected regions, including Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Kallakurichi districts, are vital for sugarcane cultivation in northern Tamil Nadu. However, these farmers are facing additional hardships as the local sugar mills have failed to offer remunerative prices for the procured cane. Consequently, many are now considering shifting their focus to cultivating alternative crops such as paddy and corn.
Palaniswami emphasized the urgent need for action to address these challenges, particularly the provision of pesticides to control the infection and measures to deter wild boar attacks. He expressed concern that if left unchecked, the infection could spread to other crops, exacerbating the agricultural crisis.
In response to these pressing issues, Palaniswami called on the Agriculture Minister and department officials to promptly survey disease-affected farms and assess the condition of standing crops. He also urged the government to intervene with insurance firms that have declined to compensate farmers for their crop losses, ensuring that growers receive the necessary support.
Reports indicate that sugarcane crops spanning approximately 75,000 acres across Tamil Nadu have been affected by fungal infections or have fallen prey to wild boar attacks. Palaniswami urged the state government to step in by offering cane growers a compensation package of Rs 50,000 per acre, providing essential pesticides, and implementing measures to protect the crops from wildlife threats.
