Maharashtra sugarcane farmers seek uniform pricing and relief packages

Sugarcane farmers in Maharashtra have intensified calls for uniform pricing as agricultural distress continues to weigh on cultivators across the region. The delegation brought forward a three-pronged relief proposal to state authorities, seeking consistency in sugarcane procurement rates to protect farmer incomes from market volatility.

Central to the farmers' demands is the implementation of a flat ₹4,200 per quintal rate for sugarcane across all of Maharashtra, removing regional variations that have created pricing disparities. The uniform rate would provide predictability for farmers planning their cultivation cycles and enable better financial planning.

Beyond pricing reform, the delegation has sought targeted financial support for two categories of farmers. Those demonstrating consistent loan repayment records would qualify for a ₹2 lakh incentive grant, rewarding financial discipline. Separately, cultivators affected by drought conditions would receive ₹1 lakh per hectare in direct financial assistance to recover from crop losses and sustain their operations.

The proposals reflect growing concerns among Maharashtra's farming community about income stability and access to credit. State authorities have yet to formally respond to the delegation's demands, though agricultural policy remains a focal point in ongoing discussions between government and farmer representatives.