Kendrapara: Farmers’ dissatisfaction with the ruling BJD over its alleged neglect and slow approach to establishing sugar mills is likely to affect the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections. Notably, the coastal district is experiencing a decline in sugarcane and jute cultivation areas, reported The New Indian Express
Umesh Chandra Singh, president of the district unit of Krishak Sabha, pointed out that despite promises made by the chief minister and other leaders during the previous elections to set up a sugar mill, they failed to fulfil these commitments post-election. Consequently, many sugarcane farmers have expressed their discontent with the BJD. “As a result, many sugarcane farmers are determined to teach the ruling BJD a lesson this election,” he added.
Odisha requires 2.21 lakh tonnes of sugar annually, but only two of the eight sugar mills are operational in the state, according to Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain in the state Assembly in 2019. The decline in sugarcane cultivation is attributed to inadequate marketing and mill closures, leading farmers to reconsider their support for BJD candidates in the upcoming elections.
On the other hand, Kishor Panda, president of the district unit of BJP, assured sugarcane farmers that his party would establish a sugar mill if they came to power in the state.
Rajendra Rout, a jute farmer, mentioned that there is significant discontent among jute farmers towards the ruling BJD. The closure of the Konark jute mill in 2007 in the neighbouring Jajpur district further contributed to the decline in jute cultivation in the region. Despite assurances from the CM to reopen the closed mill, the state government sold off the only jute mill in 2021, severely impacting jute cultivation and leaving farmers angry.
In response to these concerns, Dhiren Sahoo, president of the district unit of BJD, highlighted the government’s efforts through various welfare schemes like KALIA for farmers. He expressed confidence in gaining farmers’ support for the BJD.
In Kendrapara district, sugarcane and jute are primarily cultivated in the Patkura, Rajnagar, Mahakalapada, Aul, and Kendrapara Assembly segments, involving around 80,000 farmers.
