Kurukshetra: Farmers in the Shahabad region are calling for an earlier start to the crushing season at the Shahabad Cooperative Sugar Mills, voicing concerns about delays affecting their ability to sow wheat after sugarcane. With November 10 to 25 identified as the ideal window for wheat planting, farmers say delays in harvesting sugarcane will negatively impact their next crop, reported The Tribune.
Sugarcane farmers recall that in 2022, the mills began operations on November 15. Last year, however, the crushing season was pushed back to November 23 due to floods. This year, operations are expected to start around November 26, prompting worry among farmers, as per the media report.
Harkesh Khanpur, a sugarcane farmer, said the pest attacks this year, including top borer, Pokkah Boeng, and root borer, have already caused significant losses. “We spent heavily on insecticides, but results were poor. The yield is low, and the cost of production has risen. We need the mills to start earlier to harvest the crop, prepare fields for wheat, and ensure timely sowing. Delayed wheat sowing will result in lower yields.”
Farmers are also reducing the area under sugarcane cultivation. Ramcharan, a farmer from Kharindwa village, said, “The crop is ready for harvesting, but delayed operations increase financial burdens. Labour costs are high, and prices are not encouraging. I used to grow sugarcane on 12-13 acres, but this year, I reduced it to 10 acres. I plan to decrease it further and shift to other crops.”
The farmers argue that delayed harvesting reduces the time available for preparing fields for wheat and demand that the sugar mills start operations promptly.
Rakesh Bains, a spokesperson for BKU (Charuni), emphasized the broader decline in sugarcane cultivation. “Farmers need timely payments after harvesting sugarcane to sow wheat. Delays shorten the window for wheat planting. Other districts have already begun crushing operations, and we have raised this issue with the sugar mill officials. Timely operations are crucial.”
Virender Chaudhary, managing director of Shahabad Cooperative Sugar Mills, admits that the conditions are tough but claims that the overall situation is under control. “There has been a fall in the cropped area, and the sugarcane has not matured yet. But we have planned to crush 62 lakh quintals of sugarcane this season. Everything has been prepared, and we will start operations around November 26.”.
The farmers expect their appeals will help in an earlier beginning to the crushing season, ensuring the system gradually moves into the wheat planting cycle without further loss.
