Maharashtra sugarcane farmers demand uniform pricing, loan incentives

Farmer groups led by Krantikari Shetkari Sanghatana state president Rajiv Kasbe met Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil in Latur on Monday to press for a series of agricultural reforms. The delegation highlighted a significant pricing disparity, noting that sugarcane growers in Marathwada and other regions were receiving lower rates than their counterparts in western Maharashtra, who obtained ₹4,200 per tonne.

Casbe argued that sugar mills' substantial earnings from by-products including molasses, bagasse and ethanol should factor into crop pricing calculations. He stressed the need for equal treatment of farmers statewide, asserting that producers deserve fair returns proportional to mills' overall profitability.

The farmers' memorandum outlined three key demands: a ₹2 lakh incentive grant for farmers maintaining regular loan repayments, ₹1 lakh per hectare in financial assistance for drought-affected cultivators, and unspecified additional relief measures. These requests reflect ongoing concerns among agricultural workers in Maharashtra regarding income stability and government support during challenging climatic conditions.

The delegation's submission comes amid broader discussions about agricultural pricing mechanisms in India, where regional disparities in crop valuations remain a contentious issue affecting farmer livelihoods across multiple states.