Farmers in Dindigul during the grievance redress meeting held here on Friday have demanded that the government should completely waive the crop loans of small and marginal farmers.

Nagarajan, a farmer from Oddanchatram,said, “It is welcoming that the government has announced a waiver of crop loans for small and marginal farmers. However, the calculation for this is being done based on the loan amount rather than the value of the land. This will not benefit the farmers. Therefore, on behalf of the farmers, I urge the government to completely waive the crop loans.”

District Revenue Officer Jayabharathi, said, an appropriate recommendation regarding this demand would be sent to the government.

Rajendran from Thangachiammapatti said that the crop loans for small and marginal farmers must be completely waived.

“At the same time, a recommendation must be made to the government to provide a 50% waiver on crop loans for big farmers as well,” he demanded.

The officials must ensure that necessary fertilizers are kept in stock at all fertilizer retail outlets operating in the district.

“The crop loans for farmers must be completely waived. Otherwise, a situation will arise where we will have to mobilise farmers and stage a protest,” said Thangavel of Thangammapatti.

District Revenue Officer responded that an appropriate recommendation would be made to the government.

Other farmers informed that due to the encroachment of waterbodies, tanks, and waterways in the district, they remain without water. They demanded that it must be desilted, and encroachments must be removed.

“Mangoes do not fetch a profitable price and their price keeps falling continuously. Because of this, mango farmers are affected. Therefore, the government should fix a minimum procurement price of ₹15 per kilogram for mangoes,” said Perumal, a farmer from Dindigul.