The last straw: Farmers take to the streets over price of sugarcane

Claim crop not being sold at the rate determined by the government.

DI KHAN: Sugarcane farmers held a protest in DI Khan against sugar mills and the district administration over the low selling price of the crop on Saturday.

According to the farmers, sugarcane is not being sold at the rate determined by the government. On the contrary, it is being sold at a much lower rate, causing substantial losses to farmers. As a result, mills have been forced to delay the sugar crushing season.

A large number of sugarcane growers took to the streets of DI Khan and shouted slogans against mill owners and the district government. They blocked the roads for several hours. Consequently, commuters were forced to suffer clogged roads and long traffic jams.

Protesters also gathered outside Chashma Sugar Mill on DI Khan-Multan Road. Three security personnel tried to stop them from entering the premises and a farmer was injured during a scuffle with the security officials.

According to a local landowner, Haji Bashir, sugar mills had postponed the crushing season owing to the low price of sugar. He added the current rates have negatively impacted small landowners.

The farmers pressed the district government to address the matter as soon as possible. They warned to hold a series of demonstrations throughout the province if their demands are not met.

Last year, the provincial government delayed setting a minimum selling price for sugarcane.

Every year, the price at which sugarcane is sold to sugar mills is usually set by the government in consultation with the Kisan Board before the start of the processing season. The main purpose of a price floor is to protect the farmers’ interests.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2014.