Sambhal: Sugarcane farmers in the district are receiving cane dues promptly and benefiting from various facilities such as subsidies for purchasing seeds and fertilizers. However, there has been a noticeable shift among farmers towards other crops, reports Live Hindustan.
The district has experienced a reduction of 3,115 hectares in the area dedicated to cane cultivation, and this trend is expected to continue this year. Experts attribute this decline to the increasing spread of diseases affecting cane crops.
Approximately one lakh farmers in the district engage in cane cultivation, utilizing an area of 51,250 hectares. Three mills in the district are currently operational, processing the cane harvested by these farmers. DSM Sugar Mill, Asmoli, has cleared 100% of the cane dues owed to farmers. Similarly, DSM Sugar Mill Rajpura has cleared 99.77%, and Venus Sugar Mill Mazawali has cleared 97.07% of the cane dues.
In addition to these payments, farmers are also receiving subsidies for agricultural implements, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Despite these benefits, the area dedicated to cane cultivation continues to decline in the district.
According to Rajeshwar Yadav, the district’s cane officer, this year’s cane cultivation area stands at 51,250 hectares, a decrease from last year’s 54,365 hectares.
