By Express News Service | Published: 19th November 2017 02:44 AM |
Last Updated: 19th November 2017 09:19 AM | A+A A- |
NAGAPATTINAM: While demonetisation delayed the commencement of sugarcane cultivation, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed on drip irrigation forced them spend more from their own pockets this season. The recent rains added to the woes, affecting the fully-grown canes in 300 acres of land in Sirkazhi and Tharangambadi taluks in the district.
The farmers claimed that they had to spend `25,000 per acre additionally to erect poles to support the canes. These factors would be reciprocated in the price of Pongal sugarcane in the markets in the coming season. According to sugarcane farmers in Sirkazhi and Tharangambadi region, the farmers in Karuvi, Katihruppu, Allivilagam, Sembathaniruppu, Keelaiyur, Savadi villages are in trouble with the recent rainfall, besides demonetisation and GST.
Speaking to Express, M Velmurugan, a sugarcane farmer from Allivilaagam of Sirkazhi taluk, said, “Horticulture Department gave 100 per cent subsidy, as all of us are small and micro-level farmers, we had to pay additional `15,000 per acre for GST.’’
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