Lahore: Chairman of Anjuman-e-Kaashtkaran Punjab, Rana Iftikhar Muhammad, raised concerns over delayed payments to farmers with just two months left before the new sugarcane crushing season begins. He emphasised that these payments can only be made if the federal government permits the export of the entire surplus sugar. If the export is not allowed, Rana warned that farmers might resort to protests, reports International The News.
Rana highlighted the situation’s urgency in a meeting with the Chairman of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Punjab Zone on Friday. “The non-payment of dues to farmers is a serious issue. Farmers are vital to our economy. They’ve faced difficulties with other crops, and sugarcane is the one crop that still offers them a chance to make a profit,” he said.
Rana criticised the government for not prioritizing the export of surplus sugar, adding that the next crushing season is fast approaching while sugar continues to pile up in warehouses. Farmers estimate that a strong sugarcane harvest could lead to about 1.5 million tons of surplus sugar next year.
The Chairman of PSMA-Punjab Zone acknowledged the farmers’ plight, stressing that the sugar industry values their concerns. He pointed out that the government halted exports after allowing just 0.1 million tons, making it difficult to prepare for the upcoming season.
Rana Iftikhar called for immediate resolution of the industry’s challenges, reaffirming the partnership between farmers and the sugar industry. He emphasized the need to collaborate to overcome these obstacles.
