Haryana Sugarcane Farmers on Struggle
THE All India Sugarcane Farmers Federation affiliated to the All India Kisan Sabha, in a statement issued on January 20, has strongly supported the struggle of Haryana sugarcane farmers who have stopped supplying sugarcane to sugar mills from January 20 demanding increase of sugarcane price from the present Rs 362 per quintal to Rs 450 per quintal. This increase is required because of a sharp rise in the cost of production and based on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.
All the farmers’ organisations that have been associated with the SKM are supporting this struggle. The struggling sugarcane farmers are also demanding share in the sale of by-products like bagasse, press mud and ethanol and also certain quantity of sugar against their dues with mills and timely payment of their dues. They are also demanding compensation for damage of their crops due to pest attacks and attacks by wild animals. It is unfortunate that the Haryana government instead of conceding the demands of sugarcane farmers, is adamant and supporting sugar mills.
The Federation has appealed the state and central governments to concede the demands and prevail upon the sugar mills to implement these demands. It also appealed all the mass organisations to support these struggling sugarcane farmers.
