Red sugarcane farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Dharmapuri district are unhappy with the procurement price offered by the Cooperative Department for sugarcane supplied as part of the state government’s Pongal gift hampers. Despite the government announcing a rate of Rs 38 per cane, farmers claim that after deductions for transportation, handling, and labor, they end up receiving only about Rs 25 per cane, which they find financially unsustainable. The Cooperative Department is procuring red sugarcane in Dharmapuri to ensure that all ration cardholders receive cane along with the Pongal hamper.
This year, approximately 4.75 lakh cardholders in the district are expected to benefit from the scheme. To meet the demand, sugarcane is being sourced from various parts of Dharmapuri and neighboring Salem, involving over 67 farmers. A farmer from Keelanur village expressed that the initially announced price seemed fair but later realized that the amount includes transportation and labor charges. After deductions, they are left with only about Rs 25 per cane, barely covering cultivation costs.
Another farmer from Kannipatti village highlighted that Pongal is a period of high demand for red sugarcane, typically resulting in better returns for farmers. However, due to the Cooperative Department paying only Rs 25 per cane, private traders have also reduced their prices to Rs 26–Rs 28. The farmer suggested that if the government sets the price at least at Rs 30 per cane and allows direct supply to ration shops, farmers could manage transportation themselves and avoid losses.
Responding to the farmers’ grievances, a senior official from the Cooperative Department clarified that the announced Rs 38 per cane is an inclusive amount covering various charges like labor, handling, transportation, storage, and quality verification. The official explained that procurement prices may differ across districts based on availability and logistics. Sugarcane is transported from fields to cooperative godowns and then distributed to nearly 1,100 ration shops in batches, with multiple trips often required due to storage constraints at many shops. Additionally, procurement has expanded this year, with sugarcane being sourced from 67 farmers across Dharmapuri and Salem, compared to 54 farmers last year.
