RAUTAHAT, Jan 10: Sugarcane farmers of Rautahat are not excited even though Garuda-based Shree Ram Sugar Mills have begun crushing.

The mill began crushing from last Saturday. It has also issued quota to farmers. Unlike in the past, mill staffers are reaching the doorsteps of farmers and requesting them to harvest canes. This is because the farmers are disappointed with the mill for not clearing past dues. The mill still owes Rs 86 per quintal to farmers for canes purchased last year.

Local farmers are sending canes to sugar mills in Bara. According to farmers, a minimum of 25 truckloads are being sent to sugar mills in Bara on a daily basis.

Staffers of Shree Ram Mills told Republica that they were facing difficult situation.

Farmers are not trusting Shree Ram Sugar Mills as the mill did not live up to its commitment of making payment within two week of the delivery of canes. 

“We now have a choice. There are different sugar mills to choose from,” he said.

According to Chaudhary, promoters of Shree Ram Sugar Mills have assured them of settling dues within a week. “However, we want the mill to release our payment within a week. We will send canes to the mill only if its mill management agrees to clear our outstanding dues within a week,” he added.

Around 10 percent of canes have already been crushed by local jiggery producer. Similarly, sugar mills of Bara have already purchased 25 percent of the local production. “In such situation, Shree Ram Sugar Mill will be able to crush only around 50 percent of the target that it has set,” said Ashok Yadav, president of Rautahat Chapter of Sugarcane Producers Association. 

 
• sugarcane farmers
 
• garuda-based shree ram sugar mills