Shahabad, Haryana: The Shahabad Cooperative Sugar mill faces a delay in commencing the cane-crushing season, a situation causing apprehension among farmers who fear potential disruptions to the wheat sowing schedule, reported Tribune India.
Farmers involved in sugarcane cultivation are advocating for the crushing season to kick off during the initial week of November, enabling the timely harvest of sugarcane and the preparation of fields for the upcoming wheat crop. In contrast to the previous year’s start date of November 15, this year’s season is expected to experience a delay due to flood-related damage incurred in July. The preceding season witnessed the processing of over 74 lakh quintals of sugarcane, resulting in a production exceeding 7.74 lakh quintals of sugar.
Amid these developments, Chief Minister ML Khattar recently announced an increase in the rate for early sugarcane crops, elevating it from Rs 372 to Rs 386 per quintal. The decision has been made with the intent of ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation, according to a government spokesperson. Furthermore, the Chief Minister has expressed his commitment to the farming community, pledging a further rise in sugarcane prices to Rs 400 from the subsequent year.
Expressing their concerns, one of the farmers in the region said, “My crop is ready for harvesting, but the mill is yet to commence crushing. Following sugarcane harvesting, I intend to sow wheat, and any delay in the harvesting process will result in a shorter window for wheat sowing.”
Meanwhile, a group of farmers, under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni), held a meeting at the gate of the sugarmills and later submitted a memorandum to the managing director of the sugarmills, demanding timely crushing of the sugarcane.
Rakesh Bains, spokesperson for BKU (Charuni), stated, “The crop has reached maturity and is ready for harvesting, yet the crushing has not begun. We have raised this issue with the sugar mill authorities and have received assurance that crushing will commence on November 21. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for November 24, and if the season fails to commence, the union is prepared to launch a protest. We also advocate for an increase in the state-advised price (SAP) for sugarcane to Rs 450 per quintal.”
