Brisk cane sales; low profit upsets farmers, vendors

As expected, brisk sales of Pongal sugarcane, ‘sengarumbu’, were witnessed in Tiruchy city on Monday in view of the Pongal celebrations, but farmers and vendors claimed they could not make much profit because of the poor quality of the cane owing to the widespread rains that lashed the delta districts in November and December 2024.

- D VINCENT AROCKIARAJ@Tiruchy

Compared to last year, a stalk was sold at a maximum of ₹50, though it had fetched ₹80 last year. The number of stalls that usually occupy the roadsides was also fewer this time.

Farmers from Thiruvalarsolai, Thuraiyur, Palakuruchi in Tiruchy district grow Pongal cane and it is primarily sold in the district during the Pongal festival. In the past, they cultivated the cane over several hundred acres. However, for various reasons farmers have limited the areas of cultivation.