Indian sugar mills association

Will Mayawati`s sugar policy sweeten results?

Date:	29 Feb 2012

Source:	The Times of India

Reporter:	Ashish Tripathi

News ID:	951

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LUCKNOW: Mayawati`s sugarcane policy will be put to the test in these last phases of the polls the region where sugarcane is the major cash crop. Though many say Mayawati`s cane policy is better than that of previous governments, it may not reap results as corruption and anger against land acquisition are big issues. But Behenji may benefit as the Opposition couldn`t make sugarcane an election issue.

"Over 2.6 crore people depend on cane in these parts. They are not hostile to BSP," said Sudhir Panwar, president, Kisan Jagriti Manch. Sugarcane`s sale price almost doubled in Maya`s period from Rs 137 per quintal in 2007 to Rs 240 per quintal in 2012. Farmers increased their income by 32% in five years.

Sugar is UP`s largest industry. Nearly 15% area under cultivation is cane. The SP regime supported sugar mills that helped expand the industry, but Maya focused on farmers. Cases were slapped against private-mill officials found under-weighing produce or not paying farmers on time.

With losses in Mulayam`s rule, many gave up farming sugarcane. But though the area under cultivation declined, total output grew.

In fact, despite input costs increasing, farmers could still benefit. "I got over Rs 6 lakh from a five-acre plot," said Yashpal Singh. Small and marginal farmers with land less than five acres benefited from Maya`s policy. "She set a standard no government will dare reverse," said Mohammad Almi in Lakhimpur Kheri. There is also anger among farmers against the Congress-led UPA government over setting a Centre-fixed price that benefit mill owners. For 2011, this was fixed at Rs 145 per quintal, while the input cost was over Rs 200. But Maya fixed a state price at over Rs 200 thus benefiting farmers. Almi says the BJP too said it would hike purchase price by 25%, and SP and Congress have assured better payments.

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