KATHMANDU, Aug 28: Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary and lawmaker Gagan Thapa has taken active initiation to address the demands of agitating sugarcane farmers. He held a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development and relevant officials, emphasizing both immediate and long-term measures to resolve the farmers’ issues.
Thapa stressed that the government must pay farmers incentive grants based on their sales. Highlighting that the current Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget has allocated Rs 2 billion under the heading of “Grants for Sugarcane Farmers,” he clarified that budgetary constraints are not an issue. “This fund should be released immediately at the rate of Rs 70 per quintal,” he said, urging prompt payment.
Farmers demanding payment of sugarcane stop sugar exports
He also called for an end to the recurring practice of forcing farmers to protest on the streets. “A multi-pronged approach is needed to find long-term solutions, from minimum pricing to grants,” Thapa added.
While noting that the ministry has initiated some measures, he emphasized that the issue cannot be resolved solely through ministerial decisions. Thapa appealed to the Prime Minister to ensure the allocated budget reaches the farmers promptly, creating conditions for them to return from the streets to their homes and fields.
He further urged PM Oli to make necessary decisions to achieve a permanent solution to the sugarcane farmers’ problems.
