Aagya Khabar
Sarlahi

After the government cut the subsidy amount for sugarcane farmers this year, widespread anger has erupted. From today, farmers across various districts have started protests by burning tires in front of their local sugar mills. In Sarlahi district, which has the highest sugarcane cultivation, farmers have gathered in front of all three major sugar mills.

Farmers demonstrated against the government’s decision in front of Indushankar Sugar Mill in Harivan, Annapurna Sugar Mill in Dhankaul, and Mahalaxmi Sugar Mill in Bagdah. They have demanded that the government continue the sugarcane subsidy which began after a strong movement in 2009 (2066 BS). They also called for immediate payment of the subsidy amount of NPR 70 per quintal for sugarcane sold last year, as determined by the government, and urged the start of negotiations to set sugarcane prices.

Farmers became dissatisfied after rumors surfaced that the government plans to cut the subsidy in half to only NPR 35 per quintal. According to Rajkumar Upreti, co-coordinator of the Central Sugarcane Struggle Committee, if their demands are not addressed by mid-August (Saun month), sugarcane farmers have decided to stage a sit-in protest at Maitighar starting September 23 (Bhadau 8).

Upreti also informed that farmers have already submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Agriculture, and others, peacefully presenting their demands. He said, “Cutting the subsidy will push farmers away from sugarcane cultivation and may lead to the closure of sugar mills. This will create a sugar shortage crisis in the country.”

Sugarcane farmers nationwide are intensifying their protests locally and have warned the government to take their demands seriously immediately.