Tamil Nadu

Middlemen continue to squeeze tapioca farmers

NAMAKKAL: Many tribal farmers cultivating tapioca in Kolli Hills continue to be in the evil clutches of middlemen.

Though the Namakkal district administration has introduced a direct procurement system through the co-operative department, many farmers are still at the mercy of the middlemen and the district officials find it hard to bring them under the new system.

About 27,500 acres of land in the hills are covered under the crop. A large number of farmers, particularly the tribal population, depends on the income from tapioca cultivation.

The middlemen extend advance to the farmers and force them to sell their produce at low rates. It is alleged that the middlemen with the support of a few political parties threaten the farmers who opt for the new system introduced by the district administration.

Under the system, the administration ensures interest free loans through two large size multi-purpose (LAMP) co-operative societies. A machine to measure starch content of tapioca tuber has been installed. Procurement is routed through the LAMP societies which serve as a bridge connecting farmers and manufacturers. Despite these measures, total procurement through the system remains low. A substantial quantity of tapioca tuber still goes through the middlemen, while the co-operative societies get only about 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes of tuber in a year.

Officials say the administration is closely monitoring the tuber trade in the hills and stern action will be initiated against the middlemen. The system has facilitated tribal farmers to earn Rs. 80.24 lakh by selling about 3,700 tonnes of tuber under the direct procurement system in 2007-08, they add.

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