Sugarcane farmers seek fair prices, better irrigation to boost production

Berhampur: A day after state govt announced the formation of a task force to revive the ailing Aska Cooperative Sugar Industries Limited (ACSIL), sugarcane farmers in Ganjam district have called for improved facilities and fair pricing to boost production.
Chief minister Mohan Majhi on Tuesday directed the formation of a multi-departmental task force comprising senior officers from agriculture, cooperative, excise, finance and water resources departments. The task force will study sugar factories in other states to formulate a revival strategy for ACSIL.
“Farmers will only return to sugarcane cultivation if they receive proper irrigation facilities, fair prices, and input subsidies,” said Sameer Pradhan, president of Ganjam District Sugarcane Growers Association. The association has demanded an increase in sugarcane prices from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 per tonne, noting that rates have remained stagnant for two years.
The 68-year-old factory, the state’s oldest cooperative sugar mill, currently faces a cumulative loss of Rs 3 crore. It also has outstanding dues of Rs 42 crore in water tax and Rs 22 crore to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
The association has welcomed the govt’s initiative and proposed including farmer representatives in the task force. On Wednesday, they submitted a memorandum to ACSIL’s managing director outlining their demands.
The CM has also directed measures to boost sugarcane production, ensure fair prices and implement timely payments to farmers as a part of the revival plan.