Sugarcane farming now loss-making proposition in Haryana, says Surjewala

Congress general secretary and MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has expressed concern over the worsening economic condition of sugarcane farmers in Haryana, stating that sugarcane cultivation in the state has now become a “loss-making proposition.” He said the steep rise in production costs for both farmers and labourers had pushed the agriculture sector and the sugar mill industry to the brink of a “severe crisis.”

Surjewala, accompanied by Congress leaders and workers, held a protest at the district secretariat in Yamunanagar today against the “huge losses” faced by sugarcane growers due to low prices and spiralling input costs. MLA Akram Khan, former MLA Anil Dhantori, district president (Rural) Narpal Singh Gurjar, Satish Tejli, Satpal Kaushik, Rajkumar Tyagi, Manoj Jairampur, Dr Rajan Sharma, Pradeep Aggarwal and others were present.

He said the party had submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner so the “voice of farmers could reach the BJP government.” Surjewala alleged that despite repeated appeals, the government had “insulted the farmers” by raising the State Advised Price (SAP) of sugarcane by only Rs 12 per quintal.

“Continuous rise in diesel prices, doubling of land lease rates and significant increase in labour, irrigation, machinery and other operational costs are causing tremendous pressure on farmers,” he said. He added that the cost of medicines and pesticides had increased up to five times, while fertiliser prices had also skyrocketed, creating an additional financial burden.

Surjewala said the steady decline in sugarcane farming posed a direct threat to Haryana’s agricultural economy. “According to the state’s official figures for 2023, Haryana’s sugarcane production has fallen to 88.60 lakh metric tonnes — a continuous decline,” he said. The area under sugarcane, he added, had reduced drastically from 3.5 lakh acres to 2.5 lakh acres, which was “a matter of serious concern.”

“Due to insufficient supply of sugarcane to mills, several units are on the verge of shutting down their crushing operations,” he warned.

Surjewala demanded that the SAP of sugarcane be increased to Rs 500 per quintal so farmers could “live with dignity and contribute to the progress of the state.”