Madurai sugarcane farmers demand reopening of Alanganallur National Cooperative Sugar Mills

Sugarcane farmers from Madurai and neighbouring districts here on Thursday gathered at District Collector’s office to demand the necessary funding to restart the National Cooperative Sugar Mills in Alanganallur.

N. Palanisamy, State Vice-President of the Tamil Nadu Sugarcane Farmers’ Association, noted that while the mill flourished until 2018, it was shuttered the following year due to a drought-induced decline in production.

He highlighted that despite a subsequent recovery in cane yields, the government has failed to reopen the facility. This prolonged closure led to a 46-day protest by workers and farmers who faced severe financial losses.

Although a 2022 review committee estimated revival costs at ₹27 crore and initiated a ₹100-crore substation project, work was abruptly halted at 80% completion, he alleged.

The protesters urged the government to allocate funds, resume field inspections, and increase the procurement rate to ₹5,500 per tonne to ensure farming remains viable after labour and production costs.