Tamil Nadu   

Sugarcane harvest for Pongal in full swing

Photo: M. Govarthan

Bountiful crop: Sugarcane being harvested at Kolathupalayam near Pallipalayam for Pongal. —

ERODE: The farmers in Erode and nearby districts were busy harvesting sugarcane for Pongal sale.

The farmers usually cultivate two types of sugarcane, one for sugar mills and the other for human consumption, which would be in pink or black in colour. Sugarcane, which is used on Pongal day, has good market value. Such sugarcane are raised in Kodumudi, Kolanalli, Rasampalyam, Pasure, Aavudaiyarparai, Unjalure, Kombanaipudur, Thamaraipalayam and some places in Gobichettipalayam in Erode district and Pallipalayam, Seerampalayam and Thottipalayam in Namakkal district, which are located on the border of Erode-Namakkal districts.

The sugarcane harvest commenced 10 days ago and skilled agricultural labourers numbering about 750 are engaged in such the work. After harvesting the crop, they are bundled in groups of 15 each and transported to Gujarat.

The vegetable and fruit vendors of Gujarat usually prefer sugarcane grown in Erode and Namakkal districts. Traders from Gujarat visit the sugarcane fields about a month ago and after inspecting the crop place orders. The sugarcane farmers of Pallipalayam said that the Gujarat traders pay Rs 3.50 per sugarcane and for a bundle of 400, they pay Rs. 1,500.

This year, farmers said, they had sent 75 lorry loads of sugarcane to North India. Because of the demand in other parts of the country, they had benefited much, the farmers said.

Locally, one lakh pieces of sugarcane would be sold a day before Pongal. They said they sell the produce on wholesale basis to the vendors who sell it at Rs. 5 to Rs. 8 per piece.

They said this year they got good yield, but because of the severe frost harvesting work was started two hours behind schedule and completed before 6 p.m. daily, but are paying full wages to the workers.

In all the places in the district, sugarcane has arrived in the market for sale on Saturday.

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