Sugarcane farmers have asked the Union and State governments to hike the minimum support price to Rs. 2,000 a tonne.

At a State-level meeting of sugarcane farmers, held here on Monday, the farmers said the current price Rs. 1,437 was not remunerative and that it would dissuade farmers from cultivating sugarcane.

The farmers led by State president S.A. Chinnasamy also wanted the Government to direct the sugar mills to bear the harvest and transport expenses, which at present were borne by the farmers.

They also sought the repeal of an Act that directs sugar mills not to pay more than the Government-fixed price for sugarcane.

The farmers warned that if the Government did not heed their suggestions on price, the area under sugarcane cultivation would comedown, and the Country would be forced import sugar.

And the cost at which the nation would import sugar would be more than what the farmers would demand, they argued and wanted the Government to encourage sugarcane farmers by hiking the minimum support price.

The farmers other demands included protection of Cooperative sugar mills and the repayment of the money the Government collected from farmers for setting up co-generation plants in Cooperative mills.