Bitter news for sugar industry

Tough times are in store for the already-suffering sugar industry in the state, as there has been a 50 per cent dip in the cane production.

Tough times are in store for the already-suffering sugar industry in the state, as there has been a 50 per cent dip in the cane production.

Many of the 16 cooperative sugar mills have not started operations and others would not run all through the season. The reasons for farmers now bringing lesser area under sugarcane are lower MSP and non-clearance of dues, which run into crores. Red-tapism in cooperative mills and non-professionalism, topped by political interference have worsened the situation so much that only four mills are working out of the 16, while

all seven private mills are in the red.

“Farmers are fed up with the mills not clearing their dues in time. After hassles of sowing, harvesting and then marketing, low MSP leaves a bitter taste. Farmers, including me, have switched to Pusa-1121, which pays rich dividends,” said Harjit Singh Jheeta, a farmer.

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Sources in the cooperative mills said there was a shortage of raw material, as the mills require at least 8 crore quintal of sugarcane, but farmers produced only 4 crore quintal this season. Contract farming was initiated by the government to persuade farmers to sow sugarcane, but while private mills were able to earn some money, the public sector could not make a mark.

Development Officer, Agriculture Department, Gurdeep Singh, and sugarcane cell in-charge, Atma Project, Dr Arwinder Singh Chhena said, “The present scene is dismal, as only four public sector mills in Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr, Batala and Bhogpur have started operations, but shortage of raw-material is staring in their face. Rest of the mills may not even start operations.”

He said various measures were initiated to bring farmers to sow sugarcane, but they evinced no interest.

Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu also held various camps to introduce trench-sowing of sugarcane for high yields in Rayya and Ajnala blocks. He was able to pursue farmers and 61 hectares were brought under the crop.

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Cooperative Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who was in Gurdaspur two days ago, said the government was aware of the problem and making efforts to revive the mills and increase production. “Pending dues are being cleared. Apart from sugar production, mills are being directed to generate power by setting up specialised units, which will help them earn a revenue of Rs 200 crore annually,” he said.

He said ethanol production would also be encouraged. He, however, kept mum when asked from where will the money come for setting up these projects.

A 100-MW unit requires over Rs 600 crore and mills that are already in the red cannot afford power projects. “This industry will die if steps are not taken for its revival,” said Prof Harkanwaljit Singh, a sugarcane expert from

Food Technology Department of Guru Nanak Dev University, said.