Thanjavur: Sugarcane farmers in Thanjavur district are unhappy as the private traders are offering lower procurement prices for the chewing sugarcane (Pongal karumbu) compared to the last year, reports The New Indian Express.
The traders are offering Rs 12 to Rs 13 per piece as against Rs 17 to Rs 20 last year. Farmers harvest sugarcane ahead of Pongal and expect good returns for the crop.
Pongal Karumba is grown on around 300 hectares of land across the district only for Pongal as against the cane grown to supply to the sugar mills for crushing, as per the agriculture department officials.
An official from the department said, “Chewing sugarcane is cultivated in Tiruppanandal, Ammapettai, Papanasam, Tirukkattupalli, Soorakkottai, and Tiruvaiyaru areas in the district.”
Farmers have complained that the traders are offering less for their produce. They have also raised concerns over the procurement process implemented by the state government. They have alleged that the traders procure cane at less rate and sell them at a rate of Rs 20 to Rs 30 per cane.
The prices of cane are likely to fluctuate on the eve of Pongal depending on the consumer’s demand, said traders.
