NOT SO SWEET!: A cartload of being taken for crushing near Vuyyuru in Krishna district. — Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

VIJAYAWADA: Sugarcane farmers have got a good harvest this season, but, still, they are looking for alternative crops for the ensuing season. They are selling the produce at non-remunerative prices, with the Government not being able to meet their demand for ensuring a price of Rs. 1,500 a tonne.

The crushing season began in December and picked up momentum over the weeks, but the farmers' demand for a good price has fallen on deaf ears. Because of lack of good returns, the farmers in many parts of Krishna district and a few other districts too are thinking of giving up sugarcane cultivation and shifting to palm oil, maize and pulses.

Leaders of farmers' associations fear that the cultivation of sugarcane will come down drastically in 2006-07 season, which is likely to be "unprecedented". As the crushing season is going on, farmers are harvesting the crop and sending it to factories for crushing.

Lack of hope of better price is forcing farmers to sell the produce and take up alternative crops for the next season.

The trend has been the same in almost all areas where there is a considerable extent of cultivation of sugarcane. Krishna, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts account for a significant share of sugarcane cultivation in the State.

As per an estimate of the Andhra Pradesh Sugarcane Growers' Association (APSGA), the total extent of cultivation in the State this year is nearly 35 lakh acres, and this will come down to 25 lakhs acres in the next season.

Problems multiply

Expressing concern over this, APSGA secretary N.S.V. Sarma says that some farmers have already shifted to other crops that do not require much water. In rabi season, there is a scarcity of water and this is why most farmers are growing palm oil and maize. Some are even going for pulses. The farmers' problems have multiplied after the Centre has not followed a favourable policy in respect of sugar recovery. Many factories are showing recovery below 10.5 per cent, while farmers will be eligible for additional price only if the recovery crosses 10.5 per cent.

Mr. Sarma says that the State Government too is not supporting the growers, and it has not responded to their appeals for announcing the State Advisory Price. In many sugarcane producing States, an additional advisory price of Rs. 300 to Rs. 700 is being given to encourage the growers.

Besides, import of raw sugar from foreign countries has dealt another blow to the farmers' hopes and they want the Government to respond positively before irreparable damage is done to the overall cultivation of sugarcane, he feels.

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