Karnataka : Kalaburagi DC pushes sugar mills to form timely payment agreements with growers
Kalaburagi DC B Fauzia Tarannum directed sugar factories to sign bilateral agreements with farmers by October 10 before the 2025–26 harvest starts November 1. She mandated timely payments within 15 days, standardised rates, digital weighing, inspections, and essential facilities, stressing fair practices, farmer welfare, and environmental safeguards around sugar factories.
Kalaburagi: Kalaburagi DC B Fauzia Tarannum directed sugar factories in the district to establish bilateral agreements with farmers by Oct 10, ahead of the sugarcane harvesting season 2025-26 commencing on Nov 1.Speaking to TOI, DC Fauzia said she held a meeting at the DC’s office on Saturday, emphasising the importance of discussing the price per tonne, transportation costs, and other relevant issues before purchasing sugarcane from farmers. She instructed that even if not all farmers are able to participate, at least those interested should enter into bilateral agreements for the sale of their sugarcane. She added that, in addition to these agreements, the adoption of sugarcane software is recommended where feasible.DC Fauzia mandated that sugar factories must remunerate farmers within 15 days of receiving sugarcane, stating that delays will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Should delays occur, factories are required to pay farmers a 15% interest penalty.Continuing, she said that all factories must standardise rates for sugarcane harvesting and transportation costs. She also specified that sugarcane should only be accepted at factories after being brought in and immediately weighed using digital weighing machines to prevent any discrepancies in weight.
She reiterated that farmers must not be cheated regarding the weight of their produce. Additionally, information should be provided village panchayat-wise prior to the harvesting of sugarcane.Fauzia stated that only fully mature sugarcane is to be harvested and instructed factory officials to refrain from employing alcoholics for any reason. Responding to concerns from farmer leaders about potential weight manipulation by factories, DC Fauzia announced that officials from the legal metrology department will conduct regular inspections of sugar factories.She also directed food department officials to perform routine factory-wise yield checks and instructed Gescom to implement control measures to prevent crop damage due to power failures. Officials from the Environmental Pollution Control Board were tasked with taking necessary precautions to mitigate air, noise, and water pollution within five-kilometre radius of the factories.DC Fauzia highlighted the challenges faced by farmers, who sometimes spend four to five hours or overnight transporting sugarcane to factories with their families. She asserted that it is the responsibility of the factories to provide essential infrastructure, including overnight sheds, canteens offering light breakfast near the factories, toilets, and drinking water systems.The meeting saw participation from Abdul Azim, joint director of district industries centre; deputy director of agriculture Somasekara Biradara; Afjalapur tahsildar Sanjeev Kumar Dasar; Yadrami tahsildar Yallappa Subedar; representatives from six sugar factories; numerous farmer leaders; and office bearers from various farmer organisations.
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Source : The Times Of India
