Chilkana Sultanpur, Saharanpur (UP): Farmers from several villages in the Chilkana region have decided not to supply sugarcane to the local sugar mill in protest over the non-payment for cane supplied during the previous season.
A meeting was held in the village of Ahadi, where farmers from Abdulapur, Ahadi, Kalu Majra, and other nearby areas gathered to voice their concerns. The farmers collectively decided to not supply their sugarcane to the mill this season until payment for last year’s crop is cleared, reported Live Hindustan.
Ashu Saini, Vice Chairman of the Sarsawa Cane Cooperative Society, stated that a delegation of farmers will meet with the state’s Chief Minister and Sugarcane Minister on Tuesday to present their grievances.
Sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh have started crushing operations for the 2024-25 sugar season, with some mills having already cleared cane dues for the ongoing season.
Sugar mills in India claim they are facing financial difficulties, as the minimum selling price (MSP) for sugar has not been increased since 2019, while the fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane has risen multiple times.
Various sugar industry bodies have appealed to the government, urging timely policy interventions to support the sustainability of the sector. According to these bodies, the production cost of sugar at the national level stands at Rs. 41.66 per kg, and they have called for an increase in the sugar MSP to address these challenges.
