Price war between farmers and sugar factories turns bitter

Maddur farmer approaches Consumer Forum

The tug of war between farmers and sugar factories over fair remunerative price (FRP) doesn’t seem to end in the district.

For the first time in the State, a sugar cane grower has approached District Consumer Forum, seeking FRP for his produce and also payment within 15 days of supplying the sugar cane.

Even though 50 per cent of the sugar cane produce has been crushed in the district, the factories are not ready to adhere to the FRP of Rs 2,300 per tonne, fixed by the Centre. Right from the beginning of the crushing, the farmers have been seeking FRP for their produce, but the factories are against it.

Four factories gives nod
Out of five factories in the district, four have begun crushing and have agreed to pay Rs 1,500 per tonne as advance, assuring to pay the remaining later.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Ajay Nagabushan had made all efforts to convince the factory managements and had convened several meetings to solve the issue. But, the factories had expressed their inability to pay the FRP of Rs 2,300.

While a few agreed forRs 1,800, others are adamant on paying just Rs 1,500 per tonne as advance.

So, the deputy commissioner had issued notices to the factories and had warned of seizing the stock of sugar. But, the factories have not succumbed to the pressure.
Meanwhile, Suresh, a farmer from Chikkadoddi, Maddur taluk, approached the District Consumer Forum, and lodged a complaint against SNL factory of Koppa. The forum, which accepted his complaint has issued a notice to the factory.

MySugar
Even as crushing activities are coming to an end, MySugar factory in Mandya has not begun operations. It may be mentioned that in most of the places, sugar cane has not been harvested and has been destroyed on the fields by the growers themselves.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Nagabushan said, the factories have agreed to pay Rs 2,000 per tonne. However, efforts will continue to convince them to pay the FRP for the benefit of farmers.