Crop prices, loan waiver dominate farmers meeting in Ranipet

According to R Subash, youth wing leader of the outfit, the prices of crops such as sugar cane, copra and even paddy were fixed at the meet. While a tonne of sugar cane was fixed at Rs 4,000, copra was for Rs 200 per kilo and paddy is to be Rs 3,000 per quintal.

Other demands included action against industries polluting ground water, help control of sand mining from the Palar river, not taking farm lands for power projects, highways and industries without farmers consent, providing thrice the market price for farm lands acquired by the government for its projects and to ensure employment for farmers who lost their lands to such projects.

Another resolution called on the central government to utilise its 100 days work scheme exclusively for farm related work.

The meeting also demanded that government provide expeditious compensation for crops damaged by wild animals and that efforts be taken to ensure that such animals do not stray into farm lands, Subash added. To ensure agriculture from dwindling further, the meeting also called on the government to waive tractor, jewel and crop loans to farmers, Subash concluded.