Bagpat: Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) National Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait has called for a protest to demand an increase in sugarcane prices, stating that only through agitation will the government raise the rates. He also expressed displeasure over Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent visit to Baghpat, where no announcement was made regarding sugarcane price hikes, reported Amar Ujala.
“Since there has been no protest over sugarcane prices, the Chief Minister left Baghpat without making any announcement. The government’s approach is not fair; farmers are being suppressed on every issue,” he said while speaking to journalist.
Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh have also slammed the state government for not increasing the State Advisory Price (SAP) for sugarcane during the 2024-25 cane crushing season.
Earlier, in January 2024, the UP government had raised the State Advisory Price (SAP) for all sugarcane varieties by Rs 20 per quintal. The SAP for early-maturing varieties was increased from Rs 350 to Rs 370 per quintal, for common varieties from Rs 340 to Rs 360, and for late-maturing varieties from Rs 335 to Rs 355 per quintal.
Sugar mill owners have recently voiced opposition to any price hike. They argue that while they make regular payments and operate their mills throughout the season, this year the recovery rate of sugar from cane is also low. Mill owners had warned that the any increase in price could affect their ability to make timely payments.
Recently, amid the expected increase in the SAP for the 2024-25 season, the UP Sugar Mills Association (UPSMA) raised concerns about a decline in sugar recovery, which would lead to higher production costs. In a letter to UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, the association highlighted the decline in recovery. The drop in sugar recovery compared to last year has significantly pushed up the cost of production.
