Anbumani flags steep decline in tapioca prices, urges T.N. govt. to fix procurement price

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday (January 8, 2026) alleged that the price of tapioca tubers, used as raw material for sago and starch, has fallen to a historic low in Tamil Nadu due to the DMK government’s failure to implement court directions and its own election promises.

In a statement, he said the price has dropped from about ₹16,000 per tonne two years ago to around ₹4,700 per tonne now, and has severely affected farmers in districts such as Salem, Namakkal, Erode, and Dharmapuri.

Blaming the decline on the near-stagnation of auctions held by the co-operative society Sagoserve, and the lack of a government-fixed procurement price, he said most sago and starch were being sold in open markets at low rates, pulling down tuber prices. He urged the State government to fix a procurement price of ₹16,000 per tonne for tapioca and ensure that sago and starch are sold through competitive auctions via Sagoserve to secure fair returns for farmers.