Tamil Nadu cooperatives expand agricultural input sales and face dairy pricing disputes

The Tamil Nadu Cooperation Department has announced that primary agricultural cooperative credit societies across the state will now sell seeds, fertilisers, and other agricultural inputs for cash. These sales must be capped at the maximum retail price (MRP). This initiative aims to extend the cooperative supply network to all farmers, including those who are not members of the societies. Non-members are encouraged to enroll to access low-interest short-term crop loans and input supplies.

In a separate development regarding dairy farming, milk producers in Tiruchy have raised concerns over deductions from the state-mandated procurement price. While the government recently increased procurement prices to Rs 44 per litre for cow milk and Rs 53 for buffalo milk, farmers allege that cooperative societies are docking amounts for administrative expenses and bonuses.

Aavin officials in Tiruchy clarified that deductions are made to cover administrative costs and to fund bonuses for milk producers, stating that approximately Rs 41.25 per litre is credited to farmers after these adjustments.