Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised that prioritizing farmers’ interests was a key focus of his government. He instructed officials to ensure that sugarcane farmers across all districts receive training from master trainers, with the inclusion of local Krishi Vigyan Kendras. Chairing a review meeting of the Cane Development Department, Yogi stressed the need for serious efforts to protect farmers’ interests.
During the meeting, officials informed the CM that, for the 2024-25 crushing season, over Rs 23,173 crore has already been paid to sugarcane farmers, which amounts to 82% of the total payments due. Over the past eight years, a total of Rs 2,80,223 crore was paid to 46.5 lakh sugarcane farmers, a figure Rs 66,703 crore higher than the payments made between 1995 and March 2017.
The CM said that effective arrangements should be made for the prevention of pests and diseases in sugarcane crops and it should be controlled timely, so that sugarcane productivity and production can increase.
As per news report by The Times of India, the CM advocated for the development of new sugarcane varieties through tissue culture techniques in sugar mills, which would enable rapid distribution and enhance productivity. He also emphasised the need to hold the management of cooperative sugar mills accountable and to ensure ongoing efforts to make them profitable. Additionally, he called for the renovation of buildings belonging to cooperative sugarcane development committees and the recognition of progressive sugarcane farmers during programs.
Yogi also pointed out the importance of improving basic facilities for sugarcane farmers at sugar mills, assigning responsibilities to the relevant cooperative committees. These committees should provide seating arrangements, drinking water, and affordable canteens for the farmers. He urged that public representatives should inaugurate the initiatives undertaken by these committees.
He called for the strengthening of Sugarcane Research Complexes in Shahjahanpur, Sevarhi, and Muzaffarnagar, ensuring their effective functioning through the deployment of technical staff and scientists. Yogi also directed that officers with a strong reputation be appointed to the sugar mills managed by the Cooperative Sugar Mills Association and the UP State Sugar Corporation. He instructed that these sugar mills should be developed into Integrated Sugar Complexes.
Cabinet Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and senior department officials attended the meeting.
