Procurement price must be 50 per cent above cost, say delta farmers

The Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association has urged the State to take steps to ensure availability of agricultural inputs, particularly urea, DAP, complex and NPK in the delta region.

A resolution adopted in this regard at its meeting held here on Saturday, referred to the rise in the prices of these inputs, causing hardship to delta farmers. It wanted the state government to intervene and fix a fair price for these inputs. Another resolution wanted the direct disbursement of subsidy for chemical fertilisers to farmers, revising the current procedure of routing the subsidy to manufacturing companies.

The meeting, through another resolution, urged the State government to fix the procurement price for paddy, pulses and oilseeds at 50 per cent over and above the cultivation cost. Pleading for a cent per cent subsidy for drip irrigation implements, the meeting adopted another

resolution suggesting posting of a mechanic for ensuring repair and maintenance of these equipment.

The meeting adopted a resolution pleading for sanctioning of farm loans at a reduced rate of four per cent. Similar downward revision in interest rate should be introduced on jewel loans sanctioned to farmers.

V. Rajaram, executive president of the association, speaking on the occasion, pleaded for introduction of mobile procurement units by the Horticulture department for procuring fruits, flowers, horticultural crops and vegetables.

He also wanted the Agricultural Engineering department to provide farm machinery such as ploughing machine, harvesters to every cluster of villages. G.Kanagasabai, president, said that the government should launch an intensive fodder development programme for effective implementation of the ‘free cattle scheme.' C.Masilamani, member, said that all the 17 irrigation channels in the region should be strengthened for extension of their life. Natarajan, technical advisor, said that barrages should be constructed across Cauvery.