Aagya Khabar
Mahottari
Farmers in Mahottari have expressed outrage after the government scrapped the NPR 70 per quintal subsidy on sugarcane in the budget for the current fiscal year. On Sunday, sugarcane farmers submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister via the Chief District Officer, demanding that the decision be reversed.
Led by Naresh Singh Kushwaha, President of the Sugarcane Producers Association, Mahottari, and Mahashankar Thing, Central Member of the Sugarcane Farmers’ Federation, more than a hundred farmers reached the District Administration Office. While submitting the memorandum to Assistant Chief District Officer Sanjay Kumar Pokhrel, the farmers warned, “If our demands are not addressed, the movement will intensify in a phased manner.”
The memorandum begins by stating:
“In the last fiscal year 2081–82, the government failed to pay approximately NPR 1.6 billion in sugarcane subsidies. Instead of addressing this issue, the current year’s budget has completely removed the subsidy.”
Government Profits, Farmers at Loss?
The farmers’ economic argument deserves serious consideration. According to the memorandum, the government collects over NPR 3 billion in VAT annually from the sale of sugar and molasses. In comparison, the NPR 1.6 billion in subsidies for farmers could be easily managed from this revenue stream.
“The government is not incurring losses from farmers. Instead, it is trying to profit by pushing farmers further into loss — this is unjust,” the memorandum states.
Subsidy Cut: A Blow to 15 Years of Expectations
Farmers say they were already struggling due to delayed payments, exploitation by sugar mills, and government inaction. With the withdrawal of the subsidy they had been receiving for nearly 15 years, they feel they have no option left but protest.
Protest Roadmap Laid Out in Harivan Meeting
A meeting held on Shrawan 12 (July 27) in Harivan brought together sugarcane farmer leaders from Mahottari, Sarlahi, Bara, and Sunsari districts. The meeting announced a three-phase protest plan:
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Shrawan 18 (August 2): Submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister via local administration (completed).
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Shrawan 20 (August 4): Burn tyres in front of sugar mill gates across the country in protest.
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Bhadra 8 (August 24): Launch a nationwide movement from Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu.
‘Hope Rests on the Prime Minister’
At the end of the memorandum, the farmers express hope toward the head of government:
“We believe the Honourable Prime Minister will ensure that the unpaid subsidy amount for 2081–82 is provided.”
However, farmer leaders remain skeptical. Kushwaha remarked, “If the government does not engage in serious dialogue, we will escalate our protest to the capital.”
Hidden Signals Behind Agricultural Subsidy Cuts
In the past, the government encouraged agriculture by increasing subsidies. Now, its shift toward reduction is seen as deeply disappointing by farmers. The decision to cut support for a crop like sugarcane — which requires long-term investment — has severely impacted the morale of the farming community.
