Farmers spill paddy demanding higher MSP in Thanjavur

The farmers led by the secretary of the Thanjavur district unit of Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, Swamimalai S Vimalnathan, who gathered at Gandhi park in Kumbakonam raised slogans in support of their demands.

The protesters said that the delta farmers have faced severe loss owing to the failure of Kuruvai cultivation from water shortage. They demanded that the government release a special package for Kuruvai cultivation immediately to rescue the farmers who are on the verge of losing their livelihood.

While speaking, Vimalnathan said the farmers who have commenced the Kuruvai cultivation with hopes of irrigating through borewells, have lost their hope as the State government has not yet announced the special package for Kuruvai this year.

“In order to ensure food production, the State government should encourage the farmers who have commenced the work with the help of borewells,” he said.

Meanwhile, the farmers demanded an MSP of Rs 3500 per quintal of paddy which would help the farmers to overcome the loss. In a sudden moment, the farmers who raised slogans spilled paddy on the road as a mark of protest.

They also urged the elected members to recommend their demands to the State as well as the Central governments.