Thoothukudi farmers demand MSP for rabi crop

Thoothukudi farmers urge the government to extend Minimum Support Price for rabi crops, ensuring fair compensation for their produce.

Farmers from Thoothukudi district have demanded Minimum Support Price announced for the procurement of black gram and green gram for the kharif season to be continued for the rabi season as well.

The northern parts of Thoothukudi district, including Pudhur, Vilathikulam and Kovilpatti unions, are predominantly rainfed, owing to dry weather and ecological factors such as limited groundwater recharge and dependence on soil moisture. Relying solely on the northeast monsoon, crops such as black gram, maize, green gram, cotton, and other pulses and grains are cultivated.

Recently, the Centre notified MSP for pulses for kharif season 2025 at ₹7,800 per quintal of black gram and ₹8,768 per quintal of green gram. Farmers are now demanding this should be extended for the rabi season as a large number of them had cultivated several varieties of pulses and grains in the region. 

A. Varadharajan, president, Karisal Bhoomi Farmers’ Association, said rabi season was the most important for farmers in Thoothukudi district. Maize is sold at ₹1,800 per quintal and black gram is fetching around ₹8,700 per quintal through private traders. “This year, the black gram has reached a reasonable price due to the shortage in supply. However, if the arrival increases in the market, prices are likely to decline further,” he said.

He said farmers from the northern parts of the district had long been demanding MSP for maize, black gram, and green gram along with assured procurement for the rabi season.

An official from the Department of Agricultural Marketing said that a meeting was recently held under the leadership of Thoothukudi District Collector K. Elambahavath. It had been decided to send a proposal to the Centre seeking procurement of black gram, green gram and maize in Thoothukudi district for the rabi season.