A Call for Justice: Tapioca Farmers Demand SAGO-SERVE's Return to Ensure Quality and Fair Prices

In the sun-drenched fields of Salem, where tapioca roots run deep, a quiet crisis is unfolding. The very backbone of this region's agricultural economy, its dedicated tapioca farmers, are raising their voices in a desperate plea for stability and justice. They are not merely asking for handouts; they are demanding a return to a proven system that once protected their livelihoods: the re-establishment of SAGO-SERVE as the exclusive marketing agency for sago products.

Salem, often celebrated as the "Sago City," prides itself on producing high-quality sago and starch from its abundant tapioca harvests.

Yet, this cherished reputation is now under threat. A proliferation of substandard, even adulterated, sago products sold by unscrupulous private traders is not only eroding consumer trust but also unfairly dragging down the prices of genuine, quality products. Farmers, who pour their sweat and resources into cultivation, find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of fluctuating market prices and exploitation.

There's a reason farmers look to the past with a longing gaze.

From 1987 to 1996, the Salem Agro Marketing Co-operative Federation for Tapioca Products, affectionately known as SAGO-SERVE, served as a beacon of hope. During this golden era, SAGO-SERVE effectively managed the procurement of raw tapioca and the sale of finished sago products, ensuring fair and stable prices for farmers.

It was a time when farmers could plant their crops with confidence, knowing their hard work would yield a just return. This cooperative model not only benefited individual farmers but also upheld the quality standards that made Salem sago renowned.

Today, that stability is a distant memory. Farmers are at the mercy of private traders who dictate low prices, especially during peak harvest seasons when supply is abundant.

"We are forced to sell our tapioca at throwaway prices," laments a veteran farmer, echoing the sentiment of many. "The cost of cultivation keeps rising, but our income is stagnant or falling. How are we supposed to survive?" The lack of a regulated market allows middlemen to profit immensely, while the primary producers struggle to make ends meet, often falling into debt.

The solution, according to the farming community and various agricultural associations, is clear: mandate SAGO-SERVE as the sole entity responsible for marketing all sago and tapioca starch products.

This move, they argue, would create a single, regulated market, eliminating price manipulation and ensuring a minimum support price for their produce. More importantly, it would safeguard the integrity of Salem's sago, preventing the sale of adulterated products that currently tarnish its name.

With SAGO-SERVE at the helm, farmers anticipate a future where quality is paramount.

The federation, with its historical expertise, could not only guarantee fair procurement prices but also provide quality raw materials to processing units. This integrated approach would ensure that only authentic, high-grade sago reaches the market, thereby rebuilding consumer trust and strengthening the brand value of Salem sago.

It’s a win-win: farmers receive fair compensation, and consumers get reliable, quality products.

This is more than just an economic plea; it's a call to preserve a way of life and a vital agricultural heritage. The state government holds the key to unlocking this potential. By empowering SAGO-SERVE to take on its rightful role, the government can not only uplift thousands of tapioca farming families but also protect a significant segment of the state's agricultural economy from market exploitation and quality degradation.

The time for decisive action is now, before the roots of Salem's tapioca industry begin to wither.