Sugarcane Farmers Urge Goa Government to Fulfill Purchase Promise
Sugarcane farmers in Goa are worried as the state government has not issued the promised notification to purchase their produce, despite assurances from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The expiry of the Five-Year Compensation Scheme has added to their concerns. Farmers seek clarity on government support, financial aid, and logistical assistance for cultivation. The delay in the official notification has left them uncertain about future planning.
PONDA: Sugarcane farmers are concerned over their livelihood, as the State government has yet to issue the promised notification to purchase their sugarcane produce. Farmers from the Sanjivani Sugar Factory, represented by the Gomantak Uss Utpadak Sangatana (Sugarcane Producers Association Goa), have urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to fulfill his commitment made earlier this month.
On January 4, the farmers met the CM and raised concerns over the expiry of the Five-Year Compensation Scheme, which was introduced after the closure of the Sanjivani Sugar Factory five years ago. The scheme, which provided financial compensation to farmers, ended in December 2024, however, the CM informed that the compensation scheme could not be continued.
The Chief Minister had reassured the farmers that the government would support them in continuing sugarcane cultivation by accepting their sugarcane production.
Sawant even promised to issue an official notification within two days, allowing farmers to proceed with sugarcane cultivation. Yet, over two weeks have passed, and the notification has not been issued, causing rising anxiety among the farming community.
Speaking to the media after a meeting, Rajendra Desai, President of the Gomatak Uss Utpadak Sangatana, said, “Farmers are panicking because without the government’s official support, it will be very difficult to plan and grow sugarcane. It takes almost a year to prepare the land and harvest the crop, and without clarity, how can we proceed?”
Desai also pointed out that earlier, the government provided crucial resources like seedlings and fertilisers to farmers, but this support has ceased. “If we are to take loans to cultivate sugarcane, we need assurance from the government to make it easier for us to access financing from banks,” he added. Furthermore, farmers are seeking clarity on how the government will handle the transportation of sugarcane and determine fair rates for the produce.
To read more about Sugar Industry continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : Herald Goa
Recommended for you
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
