Berhampur: The Aska Cooperative Sugar Industries Limited (ACSIL) has announced increased sugarcane prices for the upcoming crushing season. The managing committee has decided to pay farmers Rs 3,500 per tonne, a significant hike from last year’s rate of Rs 3,080.
“The factory will also cover the transportation costs for sugarcane brought from beyond a 10-kilometer radius,” stated Sushant Kumar Panda, the managing director of ACSIL. “This decision was made after careful consideration of the factory’s financial situation and the rising costs of sugarcane cultivation, in consultation with the district administration,” Panda added, reported The Times of India.
Earlier, the Ganjam District Sugarcane Growers Association had demanded a price of Rs 4,500 per tonne, threatening to withhold their produce if their demands were not met.
“While we appreciate the price increase, we urge the government to provide an additional Rs 1,000 per tonne as an input subsidy to sugarcane farmers,” said Sameer Pradhan, the association’s president. “The government has already extended input subsidies to farmers of other crops, including paddy, so it’s only fair that sugarcane growers receive similar support,” echoed Purna Chandra Barad, the association’s secretary.
