Raju Shetti, the leader of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtana recently announced that the annual congregation of sugar cane farmers will take place on October 18 in Jaysingpur.
The congregation is a much-anticipated event because Shetti decides on the amount to be paid by the sugar mills to the cane farmers during this period. The crushing of canes by mills will begin on October 15 this year.
The Centre publishes a fair and remunerative price (FRP) — the minimum price mills must pay to farmers — and Shetti makes a demand in addition to the FRP at the annual congregation.
Shetti said, “This year we will hold the congregation in open and I will not seek permission from the authorities to hold the event. This is the 20th year of the conclave and the sugarcane farmers are going through several difficulties. The conclave is held to make a demand on behalf of farmers which is calculated based on the cost of inputs borne by them.”
Further he added, “The Centre and state are conspiring to allow mills to pay FRP amount in instalments which will ruin the life of the farmers. We want FRP payment to be done in one go so that the farmers are able to pay back the loans and save some money to grow sugarcane for the next season”.
Sugarcane Production in India:
Sugarcane is one of India's most important successful commercial industrial crops. It has made a substantial contribution to the expansion of Indian agriculture and national GDP (GDP). In traditional sugarcane growing areas, the rural economy is essentially dependent on the sugarcane crop and related sectors.
It plays an important part in the national economy by supplying raw materials to the sugar industry as well as over 25 other major industries such as the production of alcohol, papers, chemicals, and cattle feed.
Also read: Tips For A Successful Sugarcane Cultivation
