Government constitutes panel to address sugarcane farmers' grievances

The central government has formed a committee under the chairmanship of Ramesh Chand to comprehensively review the demands and grievances submitted by sugarcane farmers across the country. The constitution of the panel reflects growing concerns within the agricultural sector regarding the economics of sugarcane cultivation and the terms under which farmers supply their produce to mills.

The committee's mandate encompasses a broad examination of farmers' income and returns from sugarcane production, according to official sources. The panel will also scrutinize the existing minimum selling price mechanisms for sugar and evaluate whether current pricing frameworks adequately compensate cultivators for their inputs and effort.

A particular focus of the committee's work will be the mechanical harvesting of sugarcane and associated issues. The panel has been tasked with reviewing recovery testing procedures and investigating deductions applied to mechanically harvested cane, concerns that have been raised persistently by farmer organizations and representatives.

The formation of the committee comes as sugarcane cultivation, a significant crop in several Indian states, continues to face economic headwinds. Farmer organizations have repeatedly flagged concerns about inadequate returns, pricing volatility, and what they describe as unfair deductions imposed by sugar mills on harvested produce.

The Chand-led panel is expected to submit recommendations that could shape future policy decisions regarding sugarcane pricing, minimum support mechanisms, and the regulation of mechanical harvesting practices in the sector.