Farmers Movement Archive

As crushing season nears, sugarcane farmers seek higher SAP for the crop

BIJNOR: As the crushing season drew closer, sugarcane farmers in western UP districts have renewed their demand for a higher state advisory price (SAP) for their crop. They are also demanding their dues stuck with the mills, which recently touched Rs 8,700crore. The sugarcane growers are asking for Rs 450 per quintal SAP in place of the current Rs 325. National president of Azad Kisan Union, Rajendra Singh, said, “We have demanded that SAP be hiked from Rs 325 to 450 per quintal. Besides, sugarcane factories are not paying dues on time. New crushing season is set to begin while mills owe Rs 8,700crore to 40 lakhs farmers of the state. If SAP is not hiked and dues are not cleared before the operation of the mills, our outfit will launch a stir.” Kailash Lamba, western UP’s general secretary of Rashtriya Kisan Majdoor Sangathan, accused the government of being anti-farmer. “State and central governments are working against the farmer fraternity. The centre recently passed three farm bills which are totally against them. On the other side, mills are set to start, but sugarcane dues of last year are yet to be cleared.” There are 119 sugar mills in UP. Most of the mill authorities have given tentative dates of the beginning of operation of factories by the second week of October. Additional cane commissioner VK Shukla said, “Preparations have almost been made and we hope mills will start their operation from the second week of October. However, some mills intend to begin operations by November. We are trying to start the crushing season earlier than last year. It will be beneficial for farmers as they will be able to vacate their fields by harvesting sugarcane crops for sowing wheat crops. Here in west UP, most of the farmers grow wheat crops after harvesting sugarcane.”

The Times of India

2020-09-29

Meerut