The farmers of Sivaganga district during the farmers grievance meeting here on Friday raised the issue of substandard fertilisers being sold at the shops in the district.

A farmer named Ramalingam, said, the crop loan waiver was not satisfactory to the farmers.

“It should be reconsidered so that all farmers receive the waiver,” he added.

Further, he noted, in the district, fertilisers of only specific companies are being sold, and they are substandard.

He also complained about permission being granted to silt alluvial soil from tanks that do not have any alluvial soil at all.

Adding, another farmer named Raja, said, “Since permission is granted to silt alluvial soil from out-of-town tanks, the expenses for farmers increase. In some villages, people object to this silting. Therefore, permission should be granted for local tanks. Silt removal from tanks should not be allowed for brick kilns and roadworks.”

“Due to ‘server’ issues at the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies, sugarcane farmers are running from pillar to post without getting loans. Action must be taken to disburse loans manually this year,” said Chandran, a farmer.

Vishwanathan another farmer, noted that the road branching off from the Madurai-Thondi road, passing through Sithalur, Muthalur and Vembathur to Pacheri, was in a very dilapidated condition.

District Collector K. Porkodi who responded to the grievance said she had travelled on that road and acknowledged that it was indeed in a very bad condition.

Farmer Ayyachamy, said, “Paddy seeds are distributed through Block Agricultural Extension Centres. Farmers have to wander around to purchase them. Therefore, paddy seeds should be distributed through sub-centres instead.”