Tamil Nadu Farmers Condemn State Agriculture Budget as “Deceptive” and “Publicity Stunt”

Kadayanallur, Tenkasi District: Tamil Nadu farmers are expressing outrage over the state’s recently unveiled agriculture budget, dismissing it as a “paper budget” filled with empty promises and lacking concrete action to address their pressing concerns.

P.R. Pandian, President of the Tamil Nadu All Farmers Associations Coordination Committee, voiced strong criticism during a press conference held in Kadayanallur. “With the upcoming state assembly elections next year, farmers had high expectations for the agricultural budget. However, the budget reads like a rehash of the same lists and phrases from the past four years,” he stated.

While Pandian welcomed certain announcements, such as the plan to establish seed processing facilities and the allocation of ₹250 crore for seed production, along with ₹1168 crore for drip irrigation, he emphasised that these announcements have historically failed to translate into tangible benefits for farmers. “The announcements are read out, but the funds are not released. For the past four years, farmers have been unable to benefit from the agricultural budget,” he declared, demanding an explanation from the state government.

Other key grievances raised by P.R. Pandian included:

Seed Production: Disappointment that the government did not increase the state’s seed production target from the current 18% to the requested 40%.

Irrigation Canal Maintenance: Concerns that the allocation of funds for dredging 2925 kilo meters of canals is inadequate and disproportionate to the task.

Subsidy Distribution: Allegations of interference from ruling party officials, preventing equitable access to subsidy programs for all farmers.

Crop Insurance: Criticism over the lack of a state-owned insurance company, claiming that the current system allows private corporations to profit from farmer premiums without providing adequate compensation for crop losses. Pandian emphasised that ₹5000 crore annually is being diverted to these corporations.

Procurement Policies: Concerns that the shift towards private procurement will negatively impact paddy production, which previously thrived due to guaranteed government procurement.

Unfulfilled Election Promises: Reminders of the DMK’s unfulfilled election pledges, including a price of ₹2,500 per quintal for paddy and ₹4,000 per tonne for sugarcane, as well as the establishment of an agricultural university in Madurai.

Weakened Cooperative Societies: Criticism of the central government’s policies that have weakened primary agricultural cooperative societies, making them ineligible for providing loans to farmers.

Land Consolidation Act: Condemnation of the Land Consolidation Act, which Pandian believes allows corporations to seize agricultural land and adjacent water resources, effectively enslaving farmers to corporate interests. He expressed disappointment that the budget did not address the repeal of this act.

Pandian concluded by labeling the budget as a “publicity budget” and a “paper budget,” highlighting the lack of implementation and funding for previously announced schemes. He argued that it fails to promote agricultural growth or improve the lives of farmers. He also raised concerns about wildlife intrusions into agricultural lands and residential areas due to the destruction of natural resources, calling for adequate compensation for the resulting damages.

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