Maintain protected agriculture zone status of delta districts, farmers urge govt.

Farmers expressed concern over SIPCOT’s move to set up industrial estates in various locations falling under the protected agriculture zone

Farmers participating in the agriculture grievance redress meeting held at the Collectorate here on Thursday urged the government to ensure that the protected agriculture zone status of the Delta districts remain undisturbed.

Citing the recent initiatives of the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) to set up industrial estates in various locations falling under the protected agriculture zone in the Central part of Tamil Nadu, farmers urged the government to set right and clear any defects, if any, in the Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone Development Act, 2020, enacted by the previous government so that the objective of the Act was achieved.

Pointing out that industries relating to agriculture could flourish in the protected zone, V. Jeevakumar of Budalur, a progressive farmer, said industries/activities such as generation of bio-manure and other activities would suit the zone. Allowing or entertaining non-agriculture related industrial activities would not only defeat the purpose of the Act but also spoil the environment required for the sustenance of the traditional agriculture activity in the delta districts, he said.

Receipts for premium

Farmers drew the attention of Collector B. Priyanka Pankajam, who chaired the meeting, towards the issue of non-issuance of receipts for payment of crop insurance premiums remitted by farmers through the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Banks.

They demanded that the State incentive for paddy be revised and ₹750 a quintal be paid to farmers taking into consideration the escalation in the cost of cultivation.

Published - December 12, 2024 06:16 pm IST