Sugarcane farmers demand higher FRP for 2021-22

Pandemic triggers concerns of labour shortage for harvesting

Sugarcane farmers in the State have sought an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for the crop commensurate with the cost of cultivation for 2021-22. The FRP for the current year is yet to be announced but the cultivators say they are in dire straits owing to increase in the input and cultivation cost per tonne of sugarcane. The cost varies from around ₹3,200 to ₹3,500 against which the FRP for 2020-21 was ₹2,850 and is perceived to be grossly inadequate. The State is among the top sugarcane producers in the country, after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. During 2021, the State brought more than 5.69 lakh hectares under sugarcane cultivation and produced 400 lakh tonnes, as per the government statistics. It is proposed to increase the area to 6.68 lakh hectares in the current year. But farmers aver it would be difficult to meet the target unless there was incentive by way of an assured price which at least met the cost of cultivation.