Tamil Nadu : Tiruchuli farmers urge Collector to divert sugarcane to nearby Sakthi Sugars
Sugarcane farmers from Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchuli region have urged district authorities to allow diversion of their crop to Sakthi Sugars in Sivaganga, citing proximity and ease. Currently, their cane is directed to Arignar Anna Mills in Thanjavur, over 150 km away. Farmers also pressed for renovating the defunct Alanganallur cooperative mill.
Madurai, Tamil Nadu: Sugarcane farmers from the Tiruchuli region in Virudhunagar district have requested District Collector N.O. Sukhaputra to allow the diversion of their harvest to the nearby Sakthi Sugars factory in Sivaganga district, reported The Hindu.
The appeal was made during the monthly farmers’ grievance redress meeting held on Friday. The demand comes in the wake of a recent directive by Director of Sugar, T. Anbalagan, issued on June 23, directing sugarcane grown under the now-defunct National Cooperative Sugar Mills in Alanganallur to be diverted to Arignar Anna Sugar Mills in Thanjavur district.
The Commissioner of Sugar had stated that the entire cane-growing area earlier allocated to the Alanganallur mill would be temporarily assigned to Arignar Anna Mills until the Madurai-based cooperative mill resumes crushing operations or until further notice.
However, farmers from Tiruchuli, Narikudi, and Kariyapatti pointed out that the Thanjavur-based mill is too far from their region. In contrast, the Sakthi Sugars factory at Padamathur, Sivaganga district, is just 30 km away, making transportation and follow-up much easier.
“After the cane is cut and transported, it becomes difficult for us to keep track of the process if the mill is located far away,” said R. Ram Pandian, a local farmer.
Responding to their concerns, Collector Sukhaputra assured the farmers that he would forward their request to the Director of Sugar for consideration.
In addition, the farmers urged the authorities to renovate the Alanganallur cooperative sugar mill. “We have been told that it would cost only Rs 22 crore for a complete overhaul. If the mill resumes operations, it would greatly benefit sugarcane growers in the district,” one farmer said.
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Source : Chinimandi
