With the Lok Sabha elections 2024 around the corner, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a Rs 20 per quintal increase in the price of sugarcane, extending what it deems a gesture of goodwill to the farmers. However, this move has been met with widespread dissatisfaction among the farming community, with Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait dismissing it as a mockery of farmers' concerns.
Through a social media post, Tikait conveyed the farmers' disappointment, emphasising their anticipation of a sugarcane price exceeding Rs 400, akin to Haryana, given the escalating daily expenses in agriculture. The farmers argue that the current increase fails to provide them with a fair price for their crops.
उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार के द्वारा गन्ने पर बढ़ाए गए 20 रुपए से प्रदेश के गन्ना किसानों को निराशा हुई हैं खेती पर प्रतिदिन बढ़ते हुए खर्च को देखते हुए इस बार किसान को आशा थी की गन्ने का मूल्य 400 रुपए प्रति क्विंटल से अधिक घोषित होना चाहिए था।@myogiadityanath @UPCane@ANI
— Rakesh Tikait (@RakeshTikaitBKU) January 18, 2024
Brewing Nationwide Protest
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the joint platform of Central Trade Unions/Federations/Associations have called for a nationwide strike on February 16. Their demands include an increase in the minimum support price (MSP), loan waiver for small and middle farm households, and the repeal of the new labour codes. The SKM, an amalgamation of various farm unions, and the joint platform of trade unions aims to address the broader issues affecting both agricultural and labor sectors.
UP Government's Increment and Past Trends
The decision to increase the support price of sugarcane by Rs 20 per quintal was taken during a recent cabinet meeting. Despite the government's assertion that this decision is in favor of farmers, the dissatisfaction remains palpable among the sugarcane farmers of Western UP. Notably, this marks the third time since 2017 that the UP government has increased the support price of sugarcane.
