Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu: Collector B. Vishnu Chandran has assured cane farmers in the district that efforts would be taken to provide loans up to ₹3 lakhs to them through Cooperative Societies and electric fences to farmlands at a subsidized cost, according to The Hindu.
Chandran made the announcements at a grievances redressal meeting held for sugarcane farmers on Tuesday.
Sugarcane cultivation spans approximately 2,500 acres of land in Paramakudi and Kamudi taluks, and farmers expressed difficulties in financing their sugarcane cultivation. Farmers had sought loans up to ₹3 lakh from cooperative societies as provided in other districts and complained that they found it difficult to spend money for the cultivation of sugarcane.
The Collector also instructed Sakthi Sugars, a local sugar factory, to make prompt payments to farmers for the cane they supply. He said that the factory was providing electric fences to farmlands at a subsidized cost of ₹10,000 for three acres of farm, with the farmer needing to pay only ₹5,000.
Joint Director (Agriculture, in charge), Dhanushkodi, and other officials were present at the meeting.
The Collector’s assurance is a welcome relief for sugarcane farmers in Ramanathapuram district. The loan facility will help them meet the financial costs of sugarcane cultivation, while the electric fence subsidy will help them protect their crops from wild animals.
