Cane farmer groups all over the state are contemplating to agitate if their demands are not met by the agriculture department and the chief minister of the state. Sources in the farmer unions in the state said that they might take the route of agitating against the state government. 

 

"There is unrest in farmers' mind and there is high probability that it could be reflected soon publicly," said S Kannaiyan, co-ordinator, South Indian Coordination Committee of Farmer Movement ( SICCFM). 

 

Tamil Nadu state government last week declared the state-advised cane price of Rs 265 per quintal, up from Rs 235 per quintal last year. 

 

Farmers are demanding a cane price of Rs 350 per quintal in the wake of labour shortage and hike in cost of cultivation. The cane price would include the cost of harvesting and transportation as well. 

 

"The cane price is not in proportion with the increase in price of chemical inputs including diesel cost," said Kanniayan. "There is also a shortage of labour due to NREGA and urbanisation catching up in neighbouring areas." 

 

He also said that the harvesting cost of cane jumped to Rs 560 per tonne from Rs 160 per tonne in just three years.