IADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has announced a one-day hunger strike in Krishnagiri on Friday, demanding swift action from the DMK-led government to address the plight of mango farmers who have suffered major losses this season.
In a statement on Wednesday, Palaniswami highlighted that after paddy and sugarcane, mango cultivation ranks high in Tamil Nadu — with Krishnagiri alone accounting for 35,000 hectares of mango farms. He noted that the region had produced around three lakh mangoes, out of which nearly two lakh were processed into pulp.
However, a steep drop in market prices has left farmers in distress. According to the AIADMK leader, pulp producers were offering only ₹4–₹5 per kg, while the farmers were seeking ₹13 per kg and a compensation package of ₹30,000 per affected farmer.
He criticised the DMK government for failing to act on petitions submitted to the district collector and said no support has been extended so far. With no response from authorities, the AIADMK has decided to launch a hunger protest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday to press for urgent intervention.