Farmers demand higher price for sugarcane

Sindh Chamber of Agriculture expresses concern over soaring rates, shortage of fertiliser

HYDERABAD:

The Sindh government’s recent hike in the purchasing rates of sugarcane by 41 per cent, setting it at Rs425 per 40 kilogrammes, has been met with dissatisfaction from the Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA).

A meeting convened by the chamber, presided over by its President Syed Meeran Muhammad Shah in Hyderabad on Sunday, called for the Sindh government to revise the purchase price to Rs450 per 40 kg, aligning more closely with the farmers’ expectations.

The outgoing administration of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh not only executed an unprecedented 41 per cent increase from the 2022 rate of Rs302 per 40 kg but also announced the revised rate unusually early in August.

Traditionally, protests and pressure from growers prompted the government to finalise the price by November or December each year.

A similar upward push was observed last year for wheat farmers, who were offered Rs4,000 per 40 kg, a notable Rs2,000 or 100 per cent higher than the 2021 procurement rate.

However, representatives of the farming community within the SCA believe that a Rs25 per 40 kg addition to the purchasing price is necessary.

This adjustment would help farmers offset cultivation costs and maintain a marginal profit.

Fertilizer

Shah argued that the prevailing inflation in the country necessitated this enhancement, aligning the rate with rising cultivation costs.

He highlighted the substantial increases in seed, fertiliser, pesticide, fuel, and agricultural machinery prices over the past year.

Shah and fellow farmers expressed concern over the fertiliser industry’s continuous price hikes, despite the government’s provision of gas.

Furthermore, dealers selling fertiliser to farmers have exploited their position by stockpiling products and selling them at exorbitant prices.

Shah requested the government to take action against the industry and the unruly dealers by sealing their premises until they comply with the government notified prices and shun the practice of hoarding.

He called for governmental action against the industry and these dealers, including sealing their premises until they comply with government-notified prices and cease hoarding.

Similarly, the SCA stressed that inflation is impeding wheat farmers’ ability to sow their crops.

The chamber urged the government to mitigate inflation’s impact on input costs and provide soft credit with up to 5 per cent interest to wheat and date farmers.

The latter group, Shah noted, has faced substantial financial losses in 2022 and the present year due to heavy rainfall.

Water scarcity and irrigation

Despite low flooding in the Indus River, several parts of the province are grappling with water shortages. According to farmers, tail-end areas of canals including Rohri, Nara, and Phuleli continue to experience water scarcity.

Irrigation authorities persist with water rotation policies. The chamber called for an immediate halt to the rotation system.

Farmers from various regions-Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana, Sanghar, Nawabshah, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas, Badin, and Ghotki-attended the meeting via videolink.

Key members of the SCA were physically present at the meeting.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2023.