Farmers in Tamil Nadu criticise Union Budget 2025-26 for neglecting MSP, loan waivers

An organic farmer from the Pudukkottai and general secretary of Farmers Forum of India, said the 85 crore farmers in India were expecting waiver of loans but nothing of that sort happened.
image of farmers used for representational purpose.
image of farmers used for representational purpose.(File Photo)
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TIRUCHY/ NAGAPATTINAM/MADURAI/ PUDUKKOTTAI: Though many farmers have welcomed the budget for addressing their struggles by introducing schemes to boost pulses and oilseeds production etc, some believe the budget was designed with an eye on upcoming elections, particularly with major projects announced for Bihar.

Discontentment also remains over the increase in PM Kisan cash assistance from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 and the exclusion of tenant farmers. Swamimalai S Vimalnathan, secretary of TN Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, criticised MGNREGS implementation, stating administrative issues have damaged its reputation. He urged the government to allocate additional funds and integrate the scheme with agriculture for year-round employment.

N Veerasekaran, state spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, acknowledged the government’s efforts to support farmers by increasing agricultural loans from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and launching rural entrepreneurship schemes. However, he noted key promises, such as doubling farmers’ income, and removing GST on agricultural inputs, were absent.

Ayilai Sivasuriyan, district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, affiliated with the CPI, said only a meager Rs 1.74 lakh crore was allocated to agriculture. He also termed this as a great injustice to the farming community by the central government.

MP Raman, honorary state president of Tamil Nadu Vivasaya Singamgalin Oruginaippu Kulu from Madurai condemned the union government for not making any announcement about MSP.

VS Dhanapathi, an organic farmer from the Pudukkottai and general secretary of Farmers Forum of India, said the 85 crore farmers in India were expecting waiver of loans but nothing of that sort happened.

Various unions for farmers and many individual farmers have described the union budget for 2025-26 as a highly disappointing one distance it belied all long-pending key demands of the farmers including minimum support price for agricultural products, allocations for improving irrigation projects, waiver of loans availed by the farmers, etc. They also pointed out that there is no mention of natural farming or organic farming at a time when the world is turning towards that.

Talking to TNIE, PR Pandian, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu said, “The budget should have been prepared in consultation with the State governments since the requirement for each State differs. But the budget says only hereafter talks with States on increasing agricultural productivity will begin.

To increase productivity, basic infrastructure should be improved first. Announcements on that part are not there in the budget. In the name of farmers, funds have been allocated to the corporate companies. Pandian said the budget speaks about measures for treating cancer but fails to speak about providing safe food which would prevent the occurrence of cancer.

KP Perumal, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam affiliated to the CPM said the BJP which promised to provide MSP for agricultural Products as per the National Commission of Agriculture has failed to fulfil its promise so far. In September last, the union government announced a seven-point programme for increasing agricultural productivity and for attaining self-sufficiency in foodgrain production. But in the budget, there is no mention of how this programme.

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