CM Vijay announces higher MSP for paddy, sugarcane

CHENNAI: In a major relief for farmers, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday announced an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy and sugarcane, claiming that the revised rates were the highest in the history of Tamil Nadu.

The new procurement season would commence from September 1, added the chief minister in his first announcement under Rule 110 of the State Assembly, which bars any discussion on the topic.

The MSP for Grade A paddy has been increased by Rs 156 per quintal to Rs 2,750, while that for common paddy was fixed at Rs 2,600 per quintal. "The increase of Rs 156 in MSP is not merely an announcement; it is a first in the history of the State," said the chief minister.

For sugarcane, the government fixed the MSP at Rs 709.50, taking the total amount payable to farmers to Rs 4,000 per tonne.

Comparing the revised rates with those of the previous five years, Vijay said the MSP had increased by only Rs 156 during the DMK regime, whereas the present government had increased it by Rs 360.50 per tonne in its first year itself.

He assured that the government would continue to support farmers and strengthen agriculture and rural livelihoods.

During the debate on the General and Agriculture Budgets, Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Venkataramanan said the government had procured 62.53 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from the Delta districts between September 2025 and August 9, 2026.

He alleged that during the DMK regime, more than seven lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been procured without adhering to prescribed moisture-content norms, resulting in substandard rice being supplied through ration shops.

While the Rule prohibits any debate on the topic, the opposition DMK raised this matter during subsequent discussions, denying the minister’s allegations of poor quality grains and party men taking over procurement.

Paddy procurement in Tamil Nadu is undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) through Direct Procurement Centres. The State operates around 1,872 active DPCs during peak harvest seasons, while more than 775 permanent DPC buildings are managed by the TNCSC.