Sugarcane yield in U'khand to drop 20%

Sugarcane production in Uttarakhand is expected to fall by 20 per cent largely due to growing disenchantment among farmers.

After virtually running from pillar to post to get their sugarcane dues, scores of farmers in Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar and Nainital districts have now switched over to other crops.

“We are expecting 20 per cent decline in sugarcane production this season,” said a government official.

The sugarcane production, which touched 78.5 million quintals last year, is now estimated at 63 million quintals during the 2008-09 season, official statistics said.

Similarly, the sugarcane area in the state has also been reduced by 20 per cent, which is now being estimated at 107,000 hectares.

The sugarcane farmers in Uttarakhand and nearby areas of western Uttar Pradesh are peeved at mill owners for not getting their dues in time. On the other hand, the state government is yet to declare the state advisory price (SAP) for the crop that has also created resentment among the farmers.

The farmers in various parts of the state, particularly in Haridwar district, are up in arms asking the government to declare the SAP immediately and settle their dues. They are also angry that some private mills have not yet settled their longstanding dues. According to an estimate of the office of the sugarcane commissioner, a total of Rs 26 crore is still due on private mills.

However, officials claimed that most of the government-controlled mills in the state have settled their dues. There are 10 sugar mills in Uttarakhand which include 6 in government and cooperative sectors and 4 in the private sector.

Chief Minister BC Khanduri last month has also announced a package of Rs 56.3 crore for settling the sugarcane dues of the farmers. Last year, the government issued a package of Rs 72 crore to settle their dues.