Farmers and rice millers have sought a waiver of the agricultural market fee on notified commodities such as paddy, cotton, turmeric, and oil seeds, being collected at the 260-odd regulated markets.
“This will be a move in favour of the farmers, consumers, and traders. Farmers are already burdened by the climbing costs of production. Most times we run at a loss due to unseasonal rains and the vagaries of nature. This fee must be waived,” said R. Muralimohan, secretary, Chengalpattu District Farmers Association.
P.R. Pandian, general secretary, Tamizhaga Cauvery Farmers Association, said that though the intent of collecting the marketing fee is a good one – obtaining a good rate for the agricultural produce – is not serving the purpose. “We have been stressing the need for these marketing committees to actually do their work. We see farmers throwing away produce like tomatoes and mangoes when they do not fetch a good price in the market. Only a certain number of commodities have been notified, while others have not,” he pointed out. Around 48 commodities have been notified.
A.C. Mohan, secretary, Federation of Tamil Nadu Rice Mill owners and Paddy Rice Traders Association, said that the practice of collecting the fee outside the marketing committee premises must be stopped. “Even recently, government parties raided 10 mills in Vellore district and forced millers to pay the fee and penalty as well. They were only holding paddy from other States where the marketing fee had already been paid. The State government should not collect the fee for commodities that are not grown in Tamil Nadu,” he explained.
Farmers said that neighbouring Karnataka had waived the fee, which varies from 1% to 2.5%. “If the money collected is used for the well-being of farmers, it is well and good. That is not the case many times. Farmers do not have enough warehouses or processing facilities to dry paddy or the necessary cold storage for vegetables and fruits,” said a farmer of Kancheepuram.
Published – January 28, 2026 06:56 am IST
