Ryots ask Govt to subsidise diesel and fertilizer

TN small and marginal farmers association president KR Sudantirarasu appealed to the government to grant diesel and fertilizer at subsidised price to ryots.  In a petition, he said that on August 12, water was released for Nanjai irrigation in the Kilbavani Canal for 1.035 lakh acre in Erode, Tirupur and Karur districts. Another, 1.035 lakh acre will indirectly get benefit. 

But, any type of sowing activity was started in the ayacut. Paddy, turmeric, sugarcane, cassava farmers are not interested in cultivation due to rise in the cost of fertilizers and insecticides by 50 to 150 percent for the last two years. A tractor that plows arable land needs diesel.

The owners of tractors have increased the rent many times due to the increase in spareparts and diesel. 
There are only a few farm labour in the villages who also go to 100 day NREGS work. As a result, there is a severe shortage of manpower in agriculture.

Due to the continuous rains, the punjai crops are also severely affected. So, the cost of production of paddy rose up to Rs 65000 per acre, turmeric Rs 1.50 lakh per acre. The cost of production of paddy is Rs 27 per kg and turmeric Rs 90 to 100 per kg.  If the same situation persists, the  ryots would suffer huge loss.

Hence, they need fertilisers and diesel at subsidised price, an order to use NREGS workers for farm work, increase the purchase price of turmeric to Rs.11000 per quintal, Rs 4000 per ton as sugarcane procurement price and Rs 2700 per quintal as paddy procurement price, he said.