UP farmers in distress over SAP delay amid production slump
Farmers in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district are protesting the delayed announcement of the state advisory price (SAP) for sugarcane, demanding it be raised to Rs 450 per quintal. This comes after a 30% decline in production due to diseases like red rot and top borer. While private buyers offer higher prices, sugar mills are opposing any price increase, citing reduced sugar recovery rates this season. The SAP may be announced by January 15.
Bijnor: Two-and-a-half months into the sugarcane crushing season, the Uttar Pradesh govt is yet to announce the state advisory price (SAP) of the current season, sparking protests among farmers. Citing a 30% decline in sugarcane production due to unfavorable climatic conditions and plant diseases, farmers are demanding the SAP be fixed at Rs 450 per quintal.Farmers’ organisations in Bijnor have been staging daily protests to press their demands. “The 0238 sugarcane variety, which makes up most of the crop, has been severely affected by red rot and top borer diseases. This year, the fourth stage of top borer disease affected both sugarcane production and sugar recovery,” said senior cane development inspector (SCDI) Virendra Nath Sahay, urging farmers to transition to alternative varieties to mitigate losses.The reduced output has triggered a price war in the private sector, with small units such as kolhus and crushers offering up to Rs 400 per quintal, while sugar mills remain bound to last year’s SAP of Rs 370 per quintal. The competitive jaggery market, where rates have surged past Rs 4,000 per quintal, has further pushed the demand for sugarcane from private buyers.State president of Bhartiya Kisan Union Arajnaitik’s youth wing, Digambar Singh, said, “Sugarcane production has dropped by 30%. We demand the SAP be increased from Rs 370 to Rs 450 per quintal. If our demands are not met, we will organize dharnas in protest.”
On the other hand, the Bhartiya Kisan Union Chadhuni group burnt sugarcane crops as a protest against the delay. Farmers said last year’s SAP hike of Rs 20 per quintal was insufficient. “The SAP for this season may be announced by Jan 15. The state cabinet is yet to announce the prices,” said a state-level senior officer on account of anonymity.However, sugar mill owners have opposed any price increase, citing a lower sugar recovery rate this year — down by 0.75% compared to last season. They said that higher cane prices would strain their operations and hinder timely payments to farmers.
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Source : The Times Of India
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