Sugarcane farmers today staged a dharna here demanding that the Andhra Pradesh Government announce 'State Advisory Price (SAP)' for sugarcane as crushing season has just started across the State.
The sit-in at the Collectorate was organised by Andhra Pradesh Sugarcane Farmers Association (APSFA).
All other States in South India, except Andhra Pradesh - where 22 sugar factories operate - have already announced SAP, the Association said.
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APSFA Secretary M Haribabu expressed concern over the decline in sugarcane production in the State.
The Centre has fixed fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane at Rs 230 per quintal for the 2015-16 season (October-September).
The FRP is the minimum price that sugarcane farmers are legally guaranteed. However, States are free to fix their own SAP and millers can offer any rate above the FRP.
Haribabu also raised the issue of sanctioning crop loan of Rs 40,000 per acre for tenant sugarcane farmers.
The agitating farmers also demanded that the State Government immediately release purchase tax fund of nearly Rs 36 crore. Sugar factories are supposed to return purchase tax of Rs 60 per tonne to farmers for buying each tonne.
The farmers also want the Government to intervene and allow bullock carts to transport sugarcane to factories on a daily basis, instead of alternate day as is the practice now.
An APSFA delegation will meet Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to discuss these issues.
