Severe drop in tapioca prices leaves Tiruchi farmers struggling

A steep fall in tapioca prices has left farmers in Tiruchi district, especially those in Thuraiyur taluk, starting at severe financial stress. Farmers are demanding government intervention through a minimum support price (MSP) mechanism.

A steep fall in tapioca prices has left farmers in Tiruchi district, especially those in Thuraiyur taluk, starting at severe financial stress. Farmers are demanding government intervention through a minimum support price (MSP) mechanism.

In the key tapioca-growing regions of Pachamalai and Uppiliyapuram, farmers say this year’s market rates have crashed. A 75-kg bag of tapioca, which fetched ₹850 last year, is now being sold at just ₹450. “This is the lowest we’ve seen in recent years,” said R. Jegannathan, a farmer from Thalugai village.

Tapioca is grown on 3,500 hectares of land in Tiruchi district and is a 10-month crop involving intensive labour. “In one acre, we produce about 140 bags. But our expenses, including labour and inputs, come to nearly ₹40,000,” said Joseph A.G., another farmer from Mangapatti village in Thalugai panchayat. He said that each harvest involved hiring at least 20 workers, with daily wages at ₹600 a person, driving up production costs. Last year, one Tapioca bag was sold at ₹800 and the year before ₹650, he said.

“Every year, our input costs keep rising and despite applying more pesticides, pest resistance only increases — this is taking a serious toll on us,” said Mr. Joseph. “On top of that, many sago factory owners operate like a syndicate, collectively lowering procurement prices. Farmers are at the receiving end of it all.”

He said many cultivators were forced to borrow money through brokers, who arrange funding from sago mill owners at high interest rates, with an additional clause requiring farmers to pay ₹10 a bag to the mill during harvest. “This exploitative model leaves farmers trapped. The government must intervene with dedicated loan schemes. For turmeric, financial support is much more accessible — but for tapioca, there’s no standardised support. Without an MSP, there’s no protective mechanism for farmers,” he said.

S. Chandran, owner of a sago factory at Thammampatti, acknowledged that both farmers and processors were affected this year. “There’s a production glut. But with this year’s losses, we expect lower output next season,” he said.