Bengaluru: Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association president Kurubur Shanthakumar has urged NITI Aayog to raise the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane to at least ₹4,500 per tonne, citing rising cultivation costs and delayed payments to farmers.
In a letter to the policy body, Shanthakumar said the cost of producing one tonne of sugarcane was estimated at ₹4,450 last year, according to a report by the state sugarcane development commissioner. He demanded that the FRP be fixed at the proposed level based on a sugar recovery rate of 10.25%.
He also sought higher prices for sugar supplied to commercial users, including confectionery manufacturers, soft drink companies and food processing industries, with a share of the additional revenue passed on to farmers.
Among his other demands are profit-sharing from sugar mill by-products such as molasses, bagasse, ethanol and electricity; scientific testing of sugar recovery from individual farms; and an end to alleged 8-10% weight deductions during mechanical harvesting.
Shanthakumar called for farm-gate pricing, with mills bearing harvesting and transport costs, and payment within 14 days of cane delivery. He also sought interest on delayed payments and legal powers for deputy commissioners to recover pending dues.
Further demands include higher compensation for fire-damaged sugarcane, withdrawal of the 25% FRP deduction for burnt cane and removal of sugar from the Essential Commodities Act to facilitate an open market.
He urged the Centre to consider the proposals to improve farmers’ incomes and ensure fair and timely payments.
About the Author
