Is sugarcane cultivation losing its attraction as the “comfortable” cash crop among farmers?
Doubts have risen in the wake of the plight of sugarcane growers who are struggling to get their rightful share of dues from sugar factories.
It is really ironical that the farmers are now finding themselves prisoners in their comfort zone as the very reasons which made them want to switch over to sugarcane cultivation are turning out to be disadvantageous.
The farmers are now at the mercy of sugar factories as they do not have other buyers barring jaggery units which, however, make small purchases.
Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association president Kurubur Shanthakumar alleges that some factories misuse the fact that the farmers are solely dependent on them by devaluing the sugar recovery rate, leading to reduction in prices.
Similarly, farmers allege that some factories insist that they give written consent accepting the prices offered by them. Some factories delay the process of procuring sugarcane from farmers, who refuse to fall in line, by not sending labourers or harvesting machines on time. This brings down the sugar recovery percentage, triggering a fall in the price, the farmers point out.
But, is it not possible for the farmers to step out of this mess by starting sugar factories by themselves?
Mr. Shanthakumar feels it would be difficult for farmers to set up community sugar mills as it requires big investments and business acumen to manage the show.
The problem can be solved if the government is determined to protect farmers’ interests by taking over defaulting sugar factories, he says. But, that requires political will, he adds.
