with pic (handout)

Farmers in Ramanathapuram district on Thursday demanded that waterbodies falling in the union, zamin, and small irrigation tanks, which have not been desilted for more than 50 years, must be desilted through a special scheme.

Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association District president Muthuramu said, “Drought relief has not yet been distributed for the crops affected in the district last year. Also, crop insurance compensation remains pending for a large number of farmers.”

Sathiyamoorthi, a farmer from Kilathooval, noted that for the past few years, water from Mullaperiyar has not reached the Vaigai irrigation area tanks in Ramanathapuram district.

He added that a Minimum Support Price (MSP) must be ensured for the ‘Mundu’ chilli, which is uniquely cultivated only in Ramanathapuram district.

Adding to this, Mangudi Kannappan, another farmer, said, “Union, and taluk tanks have not been desilted for more than 50 years. Action must be taken to desilt them through a special scheme, which would ensure water for irrigation for the next three decades or even more without interruptions.”

M. S. K. Bakkianathan, president of the Tamil Nadu Vaigai Farmers’ Association, said, “The government has announced that only crop loans issued between May 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, will be waived. However, since sowing activities take place belatedly in Ramanathapuram district, loans up to April 2026 must be waived, and a complete crop loan waiver should be implemented.”

Supply channels must be properly desilted so that water reaches all 200 tanks under Malattaru irrigation, he added.

“From the funds provided by the government and farmers, insurance companies are the ones making huge profits. Therefore, the government should take direct action to ensure compensation reaches the farmers.”

Additionally, farmers discussed various demands, including desilting Public Works Department tanks and supply channels, and taking action to reduce the commission charged by commission shops purchasing agricultural produce in Paramakudi, which currently charge a commission of ₹8 for every ₹100.

Collector M. Sivaguru Prabhakaran instructed the concerned officials to provide explanations right at the meeting regarding the farmers’ demands and grievances and ordered them to take necessary action.