In Dharapuram, more than 100 farmers rallied with black flags and tied black flags to their homes, demanding the Tamil Nadu government to authorize the sale of coconut oil in ration shops as a measure to support local agriculture.
Coimbatore: A significant protest unfolded in Dharapuram, Tirupur District, as over 100 farmers from Karungalivalasu village in the Shankaranandhal area took a stand in their coconut groves, waving black flags and displaying them on their homes. This demonstration, organized by the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Protection Association, voiced a stern demand for the sale of coconut oil in ration shops across the state.
The protest, led by the Deputy Secretary of the Natural Farming Group of Shankaranandhal, Thanabalan, and presided over by the Tirupur District Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Protection Association, Gopalakrishnan, aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the local farmers and the broader agricultural community.
The farmers expressed their frustration over the continuous import of oil seeds, which has led to the neglect of domestic oil seeds such as coconut, groundnut, and sesame. They highlighted the irony of the situation where imported palm oil is sold at subsidized rates in ration shops, while locally produced coconut oil, which is healthier, remains sidelined. The protest also drew attention to the DMK's election manifesto promise to purchase coconut oil directly from the farmers for sale, a commitment yet to be fulfilled.
The declining prices of coconut have exacerbated the farmers' struggles, with the price dropping from Rs. 20 to Rs. 10, causing substantial financial losses to the 20 lakh coconut farmers across 22 districts in Tamil Nadu. The protesters called for a ban on palm oil imports and urged the government to promote the sale of coconut oil in ration shops as an alternative, to support local agriculture and ensure the well-being of the farming community.
The protest, led by the Deputy Secretary of the Natural Farming Group of Shankaranandhal, Thanabalan, and presided over by the Tirupur District Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Protection Association, Gopalakrishnan, aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the local farmers and the broader agricultural community.
The farmers expressed their frustration over the continuous import of oil seeds, which has led to the neglect of domestic oil seeds such as coconut, groundnut, and sesame. They highlighted the irony of the situation where imported palm oil is sold at subsidized rates in ration shops, while locally produced coconut oil, which is healthier, remains sidelined. The protest also drew attention to the DMK's election manifesto promise to purchase coconut oil directly from the farmers for sale, a commitment yet to be fulfilled.
The declining prices of coconut have exacerbated the farmers' struggles, with the price dropping from Rs. 20 to Rs. 10, causing substantial financial losses to the 20 lakh coconut farmers across 22 districts in Tamil Nadu. The protesters called for a ban on palm oil imports and urged the government to promote the sale of coconut oil in ration shops as an alternative, to support local agriculture and ensure the well-being of the farming community.