Farmers complain about irregularities in DPCs, pest infestation

Farmers in Madurai highlight irregularities at DPCs, urge authorities to address issues including corruption, pest infestation, and low yields.

Irregularities in the functioning of direct purchase centres (DPC) in Madurai district were once again highlighted by farmers at a farmers’ grievance redressal meeting held at the Collectorate here on Friday.

The farmers told Collector M.S. Sangeetha, who presided over the meeting, about various irregularities that plagued the functioning and the management of DPCs which included corrupt practices and exorbitant handling charges.

The farmers said that they faced threats if they complained about the irregularities. From bribes to delays, there were problems galore, they said, adding that only after paying extra commission things were being done.

The Collector urged the farmers to come forward and complain and not to pay any bribes. Genuine complaints would be looked into, she said. The discussions over the issue led to a heated argument between the farmers before things cooled down.

Another major issue that was highlighted by the farmers and also saw heated arguments was with regard to pest infestation. The farmers complained that crops, particularly coconut palms, were being affected by Rugose Spiralling Whitefly. The farmers sought appropriate compensation from the authorities.

They urged the authorities to come up with pesticides that they could use to protect crops from the pest. They said that drones could be used to spray pesticides to protect crops. The Collector assured the farmers that a survey would be conducted and appropriate steps taken.

The Collector told the farmers that Digital Crop Survey will be adopted which included data and information on crops and other details. The farmers complained about the low yield due to climate change and other reasons. They urged the authorities to take steps to remove encroachments whenever a representation was made. They complained that the authorities were sitting on the representations.