Sugarcane farmers are uncertain about whether to cultivate the crop due to the lack of clarity regarding the reopening of the Nizam’s sugar factory in Mutyampet, Telangana.
For the crop to be ready for the crushing season, farmers need to begin sowing now, as sugarcane is a long-term crop. However, there has been no clear communication from the government about the factory’s reopening, which has been closed for nine years. Many farmers who had shifted to other crops, particularly paddy, are now unsure whether to return to sugarcane cultivation, reported Telangana Today.
In addition to Mutyampet, two other units—Bodhan in Nizamabad and Munjojupalli in Medak, both part of Nizam Deccan Sugars Limited—were shut down with layoffs announced on December 23, 2015.
During the 2023 Assembly elections, the Congress party had promised to reopen the sugar factories. After coming to power, they formed a cabinet sub-committee led by IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu to address the issue. The committee visited the factories and consulted with farmers, producing a report for the government. Based on the findings, the government cleared bank loans under a one-time settlement.
The state government has committed to reopening the factory by the next crushing season (December). However, no repairs to existing machinery or installation of new machinery have yet been initiated, and no funds have been allocated for these activities.
Sugarcane is essential for the factory’s operation, but farmers are uncertain whether to plant it without knowing when the necessary repairs will begin.
Speaking with Telangana Today, sugarcane farmer K. Rejireddy explained that most sugarcane farmers had shifted to other crops following the factory’s closure. For them to return to sugarcane cultivation, they would need to stop growing other crops. If the factory does not reopen by the next crushing season, they will face severe hardships. Rejireddy suggested that the government address these uncertainties through awareness programs for farmers and encourage the expansion of cultivation by offering subsidies, high-quality seeds, and agreements with farmers.
