Tamil Nadu sugarcane farmers seek special incentive release before Deepavali
Farmers and associations have urged the state government to disburse the Rs 709.50 per tonne incentive to provide financial relief.
Sugarcane farmers and associations in Tamil Nadu have requested the state government to release a special incentive of Rs 709.50 per tonne for the 2025-26 crushing season before Deepavali, according to The New Indian Express.
The government has sanctioned Rs 603.34 crore for this incentive. When combined with the central government's minimum Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 3,290.50 per tonne, the total price for eligible farmers will reach Rs 4,000 per tonne.
R Velusamy, a sugarcane farmer from Namakkal, said farmers are facing financial distress due to poor rainfall and that the incentive would provide relief. S Vimalnathan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, noted that around 87 lakh tonnes of sugarcane were crushed this season despite unfavourable climatic conditions.
K Balasubramaniam, general secretary of the Vivasaya Munnetra Kazhagam, said mills are preparing lists of eligible farmers but cautioned that intermediaries might prevent actual growers from receiving benefits. He said the government should verify the lists to ensure the incentive reaches those who cultivated and supplied the cane.
A senior official from the department of sugar stated that beneficiary lists are being prepared across all mills. The official said that once district-level committees complete verification and approve the lists, the incentive will be disbursed at the earliest.
The funds will be transferred directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of eligible farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer system, facilitated by the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency.