PERAMBALUR: Perambalur Farmers here are a worried lot as the market price of sunflower went down drastically over a host of factors, including drop in oil price. While sunflower was sold for `60 per kg last year, it fetches only Rs 33 per kg this year, rue farmers; they have, nevertheless, urged the state government to procure their produce at a fair price.
About 109 hectares of sunflower has been cultivated this year in the district. P Ramachandran, a farmer from Sirukudal, said, "I have preferred the cultivation of cassava and maize crops. However, the yield was hit by pest infestation, affecting its price.
Thus, I chose sunflower as an alternative on two acres of my land. I have spent about Rs 30,000 per acre of cultivation. Last year, I sold it for Rs 60 per kg. But it fetched only Rs 33 per kg this year, which didn't even match up to the cost of production." Farmers said they have preferred sunflower cultivation due to the good price it fetches.
However, as the market price of sunflower fell sharply recently, the farmers have demanded the state government to purchase it at a fair price. The harvest of sunflower crops is nearing in the district. "About 30 farmers cultivate sunflower in Sirukudal village. We are worried since its price has come down. The sunflower seed is costly; and we have to meet the labour wages too.
We would again switch to maize crop cultivation if sunflower does not fetch good price this year," added Ramachandran. M Baskar, another farmer, said, "I took up sunflower cultivation on two acres of land. However, traders are offering low price citing various reasons, including low oil price. From planting to harvest, sunflower cultivation requires lots of effort."
The Joint Director of the agriculture department in Perambalur, Sankar S Narayanan, told TNIE, "Increased production may have hit the sunflower price. However, we will check the current price and then take it up with the state government."