Tamil Nadu: Amaravathi sugar mill revival becomes key demand in Madathukulam
Farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district are demanding revival of the Amaravathi Cooperative Sugar Mill, citing falling incomes after halted crushing operations. Outdated machinery and reliance on private buyers have weakened bargaining power, making the issue a key concern in the Madathukulam constituency ahead of elections.
Tiruppur: As the campaigning for Tamil Nadu election gears up, the issue of the Amaravathi Cooperative Sugar Mill has become a major concern for farmers in the Madathukulam Assembly constituency, with growing calls for its revival to support sugarcane cultivation and ensure steady income, The Hindu reported.
The constituency, located in the southern part of Tiruppur district, is largely rural and depends heavily on sugarcane cultivation. Farmers here grow crops such as sugarcane, coconut, paddy and vegetables. Irrigation is supported by the Amaravathi Dam and Thirumoorthy Dam, which together serve around five lakh acres of farmland.
Government data shows that Tiruppur district has about 3,484 hectares under sugarcane cultivation, with an average yield of 117 tonnes per hectare. However, farmers say the cooperative sugar mill is struggling due to outdated machinery installed more than 70 years ago, leading to reduced crushing capacity.
While the mill continued crushing operations until 2023, recovery levels had declined. Since October 2024, its distillery unit has been producing rectified spirit and ethanol using molasses brought in from other mills across the state.
Farmers say the halt in crushing operations has forced sugarcane growers to depend on private buyers, often leaving them with lower prices and little bargaining power. Many have urged the authorities to restore the mill to full working capacity.
Politically, the constituency has seen shifting voter preferences since its formation, with the AIADMK winning twice and the DMK securing one term.
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Source : Chinimandi
