DMK assures paddy MSP at Rs 2,500 per quintal

DMK today promised to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy in phases to Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,500 per tonne for sugarcane and also announced other sops for farmers.
"The DMK government will fix the MSP for paddy at Rs 2000 per quintal initially and step by step increase it upto Rs 2500," the party said in its manifesto.
Stressing that the Centre had fixed Rs 2300 as MSP per tonne of sugarcane for 2015-2016, it said the AIADMK regime had announced "a mere Rs 550 (state advised price) inclusive of cartage totalling Rs 2850".
"Sugarcane farmers have been let down and to alleviate their suffering, the DMK (if voted to power) will increase the amount by Rs 1200, including cartage over and above the amount of Rs 2300 fixed by the Centre, totalling Rs 3500," it said.

It also said action will be taken for payment of full amount of sugarcane supplied by growers to sugar mills within three months from the date of delivery.
On other problems faced by them, DMK said "Due to the indifference of the present AIADMK regime, the Cauvery Delta farmers are resorting to only single crop (samba) instead of usual two annual crop season (kuruvai and samba).

The party further said agriculturists were unable to cultivate short-term crops. Similarly, due to the "failure" of the AIADMK regime to properly maintain irrigation sources, farmers were driven to "suicide".
"To protect the welfare of the several lakh farmers and to increase agricultural produce, a separate budget for agriculture will be prepared and presented in the Assembly," it said.

It also promised complete waiver of crop loans taken by small and micro farmers. Besides continuing to supply free power for farmers, power connection will be given within a time frame to all the farmers who have applied for it. Moreover, three phase power will be supplied to all agricultural pumpsets now in operation.
Free dhoti, saree and Pongal cash prize of Rs 500 will be given to small and micro farmers and agricultural labourers every year.
A 'Comprehensive Agriculture Produce Marketing Exchange', a separate division for organic farming in Agricultural Department, an Organic Farming Research Centre in the name of rganic farming pioneer Nammalvar will be set up. Subsidy up to Rs 10,000 will be provided for small and micro farmers for buying new electric motors.

A separate department for irrigation will be created and legislation will be brought in to set up a water management authority, it said.