Sanguem: Sugarcane cultivators from Sanguem and adjoining areas have gathered under the banner of Goa Farmers Association threatened to launch agitation at Sanjivani Sugar mill on January 7 as the government failed to act on the assurances given them before.
The decision was taken in a meeting of cane cultivators held at Wadem Curdi. Rajendra Desai, president of Farmers Association said, “Cooperation minister Govind Gaude has failed to fulfil assurance given to farmers before closing the mill. We will continue the agitation till the government takes steps to fulfil our demands.”
The farmers had started harvesting cane on their own as the government has failed to provide cane harvesters, and their cane is drying in the field.
“As many as 25,000 tonnes of sugarcane is standing in the fields waiting for harvesting, and if we do not get labours, farmers will be at loss,” said Desai.
The cane farmers from Goa are annoyed over the slow pace of cane harvesting which is sent to the neighbouring Karnataka for crushing.
The mill is facing financial trouble due to a lack of adequate supply of cane. The mill has registered a loss of Rs 101.22 crore due to unavailability of sugarcane and various reason. The government made sure that sugarcane produced by farmers will be bought at the market price. State chief minister Pramod Sawant had assured farmers that those who produce sugarcane this season would not incur any loss.
