Kathmandu: Sugarcane farmers from Nepal are turning away from sugarcane cultivation as they are not getting the cane dues from millers on time. This has created problems before sugar millers as they are facing a shortage of raw material for crushing.
Out of ten sugar mills in the country, almost all are facing sugarcane shortage, according to Nepal Sugarcane Producers Association.
Kapil Muni Mainali, president of the organisation said the problem has been experienced by the mills as most of the farmers have stopped cane cultivation due to delay in cane payment. Farmers are facing the same problem every year and are turning away from cane cultivation.
The officials from sugar mills are visiting the sugarcane fields and luring farmers to sell their cane to the mills.
Farmers are yet to receive pending dues worth Rs 220 million from sugar mills despite the government promised to clear the dues.
Mainali informed that four mills have stopped operations and rest are operating at 10 per cent of their capacity.
