Farmers demands to establish a government sago mill in Salem to ensure quality sago and fair price for Tapioca farmers.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.
Tapioca farmers in Salem district demanded the State Government to announce a government sago mill here, which was promised by Ministers three years ago.
Tapioca, an important crop in the Salem and Namakkal districts, is cultivated by most of the farmers on a large scale. There are more than 200 sago mills run by private people in the Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, and Kallakurichi districts. As there is no government sago mill, the private mill owners fix the prices for tapioca, which is not adequate for the farmers.
During a tripartite meeting with sago manufacturers, tapioca farmers, and monitoring committee members of Salem Sagoserve that was held on November 10, 2022, MSME Minister T.M. Anbarasan and Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru assured to take the issue to the Chief Minister and assured a sago factory for Salem. But three years have passed and there is no development on the sago mill.
K. Sundaram, general secretary of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam, said that if a government sago mill is established, it will help farmers to get good and affordable rate for the tapioca they produce. After the Ministers’ assurance, ₹54,000 was collected as a capital share from the tapioca farmers, which was given to the government.
A five-acre area of land was also identified near Karumandurai for the mill. However, work on the mill ceased without any clear explanation. “The State government, which is expected to submit its interim budget this month, should announce a government sago mill to save the livelihood of the farmers,” Mr. Sundaram added.
Farmer representative of the Salem Sagoserve advisory cum monitoring committee, M.G. Rajendran, said that every month during the farmers’ grievances redress meeting in the Salem and Namakkal districts, farmers raise the demand for the mill. “We also met Ministers and secretaries of departments concerned in this regard. But no step has been taken.
He stated that earlier, more than 1,000 sago mills functioned in the districts. Currently, due to adulteration and financial issues, only over 200 mills are functioning. At present, one metric tonne of tapioca is procured for ₹4,500 to ₹5,000. But only if more than ₹7,000 is provided per tonne will it be profitable for farmers, Mr. Rajendran added.
Published – February 03, 2026 08:01 pm IST
