The farmers at the Singanallur Uzhavar Sandhai (farmers’ market) will form a Farmers’ Welfare Committee to take control of the cold storage unit set up by the Agriculture Produce Export Development Agency. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held with the Deputy Director of Agriculture Marketing M.R. Palanisamy here on Monday.
Mr. Palanisamy held talks with the farmers and their representatives at the market and gave in principle acceptance to cancel the cold storage lease agreement signed with S. Kathirvel of Perundurai in Erode district after the Collector’s approval.
The other demand raised by the farmers was that the rates of vegetables and fruits should be fixed in consultation with the Committee early in the morning every day when the market opens for the public. They alleged that the rates fixed by the Administrative Officer of the shandy were not remunerative. The farmers also wanted the administration to clear the unauthorised shops outside the market on Housing Board Road and Trichy main road and earmark the place for parking their vehicles.
The farmers opposed the government’s move to form Farmers Producers’ Company contending that it was against their interest and said they would raise this issue at the Farmers’ grievances meeting to he held at the Collectorate.
According to Mr. Palanisamy, as many as 370 farmers have valid ID cards to sell their produce in the markets. Out of this, 221 were found to be genuine farmers, 105 farmers were yet to submit relevant documents, and verification of 44 farmers were over. After verification, it was found that 17 were not involved in farming, 18 farmers have not submitted required documents and the time limit for the ID cards issued to 23 farmers has expired. They would be barred entry into the market, he said.
On behalf of farmers, A.S. Babu, district president of the non-political Thamizhaga Farmers’ Association, and S. Subramani of All India Kisan Sangh held discussion with the officials.
