Tamil Nadu Farmers Association calls for 15,000 MSP for tapioca

The Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association has demanded that the State authorities repair ₹15,000 because the minimal assist worth (MSP) for tapioca, per tonne.

Farmers cultivating tapioca, a serious crop within the Salem and Namakkal districts, claimed that the worth of 1 tonne has dropped to ₹3,000, severely impacting their livelihoods. They have additionally demanded that the MSP be fastened not just for tapioca but in addition for the sago and starch derived from it.

Tamil Farmers Association State Secretary P. Perumal mentioned that tapioca is cultivated in 18 districts of Tamil Nadu, together with Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchi, Perambalur, Kallakurichi, Dharmapuri, and Krishnagiri. For the primary time, the worth of tapioca has fallen to ₹3,000 per tonne this yr. Two years in the past, it bought for ₹16,000 per tonne, and final yr, the worth dropped to ₹4,000 per tonne.

The worth discount is alleged to be as a result of cultivation of tapioca on extra acres of land. On behalf of the affiliation, a petition was submitted to the departments involved on August 21, requesting a tripartite assembly. Following this, a gathering was held on September 18 on the Salem Collectorate, presided over by Tourism Minister R. Rajendran. Tapioca farmers, sago producers, and merchants participated within the assembly.

The assembly lasted for 3 hours, and all contributors agreed that the demand for a ₹15,000 MSP for tapioca was honest. At the top of the assembly, a choice was made to type a committee — comprising a sago producer, a dealer, a farmer, and an official from the Food Safety and Agriculture Departments — to submit their suggestions to the Agriculture Minister, Mr. Perumal added.

Stating that the choice had upset tapioca farmers, Mr. Perumal mentioned that the harvesting of tapioca had already begun. By the time the committee’s suggestions attain the Agriculture Department, the harvest can be over. Therefore, contemplating the bottom actuality, the State authorities should instantly repair the MSP at ₹15,000 per tonne of tapioca, ₹4,500 per bag of sago, and ₹3,500 per bag of starch to guard the farmers’ livelihoods.

Urging this demand, farmers will stage an illustration on October 8 in entrance of the district collectorates in areas the place tapioca is cultivated, Mr. Perumal added.