Farmers call for procurement of maize by NAFED

Farmers demand NAFED procurement of maize to secure Minimum Support Price amid declining market rates.

Expressing concern over the fall in the prices of maize, farmers representatives on Wednesday urged the State and Central governments to ensure that farmers got the Minimum Support Price for the produce.

Raising the issue at the monthly farmers grievances meeting, R.Raja Chidambaram, State secretary of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam, said the price offered by traders was way below the minimum support price (MSP) fixed by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

The CACP had fixed the MSP for maize at ₹2,400 a quintal for the 2025-26 kharif season. “The price fixed by the CACP is an eye wash. But farmers were not even getting this. The State government too has not bothered to ensure that the farmers got at least the MSP,” he said.

Traders had offered up to ₹2,600 a quintal last year, which lured more farmers to opt for maize cultivation this year, he pointed and urged the state government to press for direct procurement of maize by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).

Supporting the demand, P.Viswanathan, president, Tamizhaga Eri Mattrum Attru Pasana Vivasayigal Sangam, urged the authorities to ensure farmers got the MSP for maize.

Mr.Viswanathan and Ayilai Siva.Suriyan, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, affiliated to the CPI, called for steps to swiftly move the paddy procured at the direct purchase centres in the district. Mr.Siva Suriyan said that the delay in transporting the procured paddy was leading to spiralling problems in the procurement. Shortage of gunny bags was adding to the problem, he claimed.