FSGA plea to Centre on sugarcane farmers

Vijayawada, Jul 10: The Federation of Sugarcane Growers Association (FSGA) today urged the Centre to protect the interests of sugarcane growers in the state by providing them remunerative prices.

FSGA Secretary N S V Sharma alleged sugarcane farmers in the state lost Rs 100 crore due to 'anti-farmer' policies pursued by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

He said sugarcane growers lost Rs 50 crore due to increase in basic recovery rate from 8.5 to 9 per cent last year.

Mr Sharma also took exception to the manner in which Centre was fixing minimum price for sugarcane without considering the expenditure incurred by the farmers.

He sought CACP's help in impressing upon government the need to consider factors like cost of labour, fertilisers and pesticides among others while fixing prices.

The Centre's 'faulty decisions' had resulted in a decrease in sugarcane production in the country forcing the government to import sugar, Mr Sharma claimed.

The government should treat agriculture on par with sectors which were being given subsidies and exemptions, he said.

UNI