Why Are Thoothukudi Maize Farmers Demanding MSP for Their Rabi Crop?
Synopsis
Farmers in Thoothukudi are in distress as maize market prices plummet below production costs. They seek MSP for Rabi maize to safeguard their livelihoods and prevent exploitation by private traders. Will their plea be heard?
Key Takeaways
Farmers in Thoothukudi are facing financial challenges due to falling maize prices.
There is a significant increase in maize cultivation area this season.
Current prices are below production costs, leading to losses for farmers.
Farmers are urging the government to implement MSP for Rabi maize.
A proposal for MSP coverage has been submitted to the Union government.
Chennai, Feb 7 (NationPress) Farmers from the rain-dependent regions of Thoothukudi district have appealed to the Union government to implement the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system for maize grown during the Rabi season, citing that the dramatic drop in market prices has led to significant financial hardship.
Currently, maize, primarily cultivated in this district post-northeast monsoon, is being purchased by private traders at approximately ₹1,800 per quintal. This marks a significant decrease from last year’s Rabi pricing of around ₹2,500 per quintal, which is also considerably below the cost of cultivation.
As harvesting is expected to ramp up in the upcoming weeks, farmers are concerned that prices may decline even further. The area dedicated to maize cultivation has also increased this year, with nearly 1.85 lakh acres now under production, compared to 1.5 lakh acres last season.
The surge in output has led to an oversupply in local markets, further driving prices down. Harvesting activities are ongoing in Ottapidaram, Ettayapuram, Vilathikulam, Pudur, Kovilpatti, and Kayathar taluks.
R. Muthuraj, a farmer from a village near Kovilpatti, expressed that the current prices do not cover even the basic production costs such as seeds, fertilizers, labor, and irrigation.
“If we sell at this price, we are only facing losses. There’s no profit left for us,” he lamented.
Another farmer, S. Rajendran from the Vilathikulam area, cautioned that prices could drop even lower as peak arrivals are expected in March. He highlighted that many small-scale farmers lack the necessary storage capacity to hold their produce and wait for better pricing.
Although the Union government has set an MSP of ₹2,400 per quintal for maize during the 2025–26 kharif season, farmers in Tamil Nadu argue that this is largely irrelevant since maize is chiefly cultivated as a Rabi crop in the state.
Leaders from local farmers’ organizations have requested that the MSP be applied to Rabi maize as well. They contend that including maize in the MSP framework would enable regulated markets to procure the crop through government agencies, similar to the treatment of pulses, thereby shielding farmers from exploitation.
Officials from the regional regulated market committee have confirmed that a proposal for MSP coverage for Rabi maize has been submitted to the Union government, noting that procurement can only commence following formal notification and Cabinet approval.
Point of View
The plight of Thoothukudi's maize farmers underscores a broader agricultural crisis. As farming communities face declining prices and rising production costs, the call for MSP reflects a need for protective measures in India's agricultural policies. The Union government's response will be crucial in determining the future of local farmers and the stability of the maize market.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current market price for maize in Thoothukudi?
The current market price for maize in Thoothukudi is approximately ₹1,800 per quintal.
Why are farmers demanding MSP for Rabi maize?
Farmers are demanding MSP for Rabi maize due to a significant drop in market prices, which has led to financial distress as current prices do not cover production costs.
How much area is under maize cultivation this year?
This year, nearly 1.85 lakh acres are under maize cultivation in Thoothukudi district.
What support has the Union government announced for maize?
The Union government has announced an MSP of ₹2,400 per quintal for maize during the 2025–26 kharif season, but farmers argue this is not applicable for Rabi maize.
What are the implications of the proposed MSP for farmers?
If MSP is extended to Rabi maize, it would allow regulated markets to procure the crop, helping to protect farmers from price exploitation.
