Lok Sabha Debates
Problems Being Faced By Sugarcane Growers Of Tamil Nadu. on 15 December, 2008
> Title: Problems being faced by sugarcane growers of Tamil Nadu.
SHRI RAVICHANDRAN SIPPIPARAI (SIVAKASI): Sugarcane growers, in India in general, and of Tamil Nadu in particular, are facing problems due to lower price of sugarcane, which is far below the cost of production.
Due to increased cost of fertilizer and the scarcity of power, which is often cut in the State, the production cost of sugarcane has increased. In the present circumstances, both the Central and the State Governments have recommended a price of Rs. 1050/- per tonne for sugarcane. At the same time, the Commission for Agriculture Cost and Price has recommended Rs. 1,550/- per tonne for sugarcane.
As the cost of production has increased manifold, on behalf of my Party, the MDMK and our leader, Thiru Vaiko, I urge upon the Government to immediately announce a price of Rs. 2,000/- for sugarcane in order to save the farmers from this critical situation.
DR. C. KRISHNAN (POLLACHI): I want to associate with the matter raised by Thiru Ravichandran.
MR. SPEAKER: After somebody has taken the trouble of giving a notice, you want to associate. You have not given a notice. Please sit down.
Shri P. Mohan please.
SHRI P. MOHAN (MADURAI): Sir, I have given notice to speak on the same matter.
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Mohan, that is why I called your name.
*SHRI P. MOHAN :Sugarcane growers all over the country are facing enormous hardship. The Minimum Support Price for sugar cane as announced by the Union Government is inadequate and does not meet even the cost of production after putting in hard labour through out. Commission for Agricultural Cost and Price has recommended a Minimum Support Price of Rs.1550 per tonne. Even the Agricultural University have worked out the cost of inputs to be Rs.880.70 at the crop cultivation stage. But the Union Government has again fixed the Minimum Support Price at Rs.811.80 the same that was announced last year. In order to highlight the problems faced by the sugar cane growers, agriculturists from all over the country unitedly held a huge rally in front of Parliament on 10th of December this year to draw the attention of the Union Government to redress the grievances of the sugar cane cultivators.
* English Translation of the Speech originally delivered in Tamil.
Considering the fact that price rise situation has given rise to escalation in the production cost of sugar cane, the Minimum Support Price must be enhanced alteast to the level of Rs.1550 per tonne as recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Cost and Price.
MR. SPEAKER: Dr. C. Krishnan also associates with Shri Sippiparai Ravichandran.