In Tirupattur district from Yelagiri, more than 5,000 tribal farmers demand an agriculture office in the area as the closest one is situated 20 km away, in Jolarpettai, from where they have to collect government subsidies, seeds, fertilizers, and other Agri products.
Farming is the main economic activity in Yelagiri, an exquisite hill station. The place is known for producing different varieties of crops including fruits like guavas, mangoes, bananas, and jackfruits during the spring season (February to May) and vegetables such as beans, tomatoes, and cabbage throughout the year. However, the tribal farmers who have been farming in the 14 hamlets for generations, take their yield to Jolarpettai as the agriculture office in their region was closed decades back.
The farmers hailing from small and middle-class backgrounds depend on government subsidies for their livelihood. Kuppulingam, a tribal farmer from the region said that to collect government subsidies he has to travel from the hilltop of Yelagiri to Jolarpettai at least five times a month. This resulted in spending Rs 300 per month from the little amount he earns.
Moreover, farmers also have to transport their yield, which adds to their expenses. GK Ramaswamy, another tribal farmer from Yelagiri said, "I spent a whole day travelling to the office. This is a waste of energy and money,"
"I have been involved in farming for decades but am still not aware of the several agricultural schemes available. If an office was here, we could regularly visit and collect all those information," said Mahalingam, a farmer. Sridevi, CEO of Yelagiri Hill Tribal Farmer's Company Limited said that despite several petitions from the farmers for a new office, there has been no response from the officials.
Radha, Tirupattur Agriculture Officer who recognized the misery of the tribal farmers, declared that she had already requested the collector to address the matter and soon come up with a solution.
