Tamil Nadu   

Middlemen continue to squeeze tapioca farmers

NAMAKKAL: Many tribal farmers cultivating tapioca in Kolli Hills continue to be in the evil clutches of middlemen.

Though the Namakkal district administration has introduced a direct procurement system through the co-operative department, many farmers are still at the mercy of the middlemen and the district officials find it hard to bring them under the new system.

About 27,500 acres of land in the hills are covered under the crop. A large number of farmers, particularly the tribal population, depends on the income from tapioca cultivation.

The middlemen extend advance to the farmers and force them to sell their produce at low rates. It is alleged that the middlemen with the support of a few political parties threaten the farmers who opt for the new system introduced by the district administration.

Under the system, the administration ensures interest free loans through two large size multi-purpose (LAMP) co-operative societies. A machine to measure starch content of tapioca tuber has been installed. Procurement is routed through the LAMP societies which serve as a bridge connecting farmers and manufacturers. Despite these measures, total procurement through the system remains low. A substantial quantity of tapioca tuber still goes through the middlemen, while the co-operative societies get only about 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes of tuber in a year.

Officials say the administration is closely monitoring the tuber trade in the hills and stern action will be initiated against the middlemen. The system has facilitated tribal farmers to earn Rs. 80.24 lakh by selling about 3,700 tonnes of tuber under the direct procurement system in 2007-08, they add.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Let peace prevail
Rough and tumble of sea
Artistic creations
Seeking security
Banana crops damaged
Farmers demand good quality seedlings
Woman delivers triplet
25 sovereigns recovered
Drinking water is highly contaminated, says study
17 fishermen released
Middlemen continue to squeeze tapioca farmers
IT park site getting ready
Breach in LBP Canal plugged
Seven persons get three-year jail term in woman kidnap case
‘Grameen Shakti’ insurance scheme for SHGs launched
Duty is divine
Taking no chance
Fashion forecast seminar held to boost knitwear exports from Tirupur
Anti-sabotage squads intensify checks at lodges, cinemas in Tirupur
Textile exporters keenly awaiting ‘stimulus package’
Making use of available materials
House panel visits Virudhunagar
Karur Collector to consider Lankan refugees’ demands
Holiday declared in districts
Two RTO staff held in Theni
Cyclone crosses Karaikal coast; minimum damage
Karur farmers for more DPCs
Inspiring young talent
‘3-E’ concept to bring down accident rate
Graduation day at university
Camp
Higher Education Digest
Tiruneermalai, mix of old world charm, development Zone in
Commuters stranded
MPs to meet Prime Minister on December 2
NLC power generation drops
Three drown as coracle capsizes
Jayalalithaa condemns terror attacks
Security alert in Tamil Nadu following terror attacks in Mumbai
Cabinet accepts ‘in principle’ quota for Arundhatiyars
Rs.5,100-crore project to modernise Cauvery delta zone
2 advocates held
Semester exams postponed
Death condoled
Rally for rainwater harvesting tomorrow
Appointment orders given to 138
Mettur level

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu