MAHOTTARI: Sugarcane farmers from Mahottari and the broader Madhesh region have urged the government to reconsider its decision to exclude subsidies for sugarcane cultivation in the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83.
Farmers expressed disappointment after the federal budget failed to mention the continuation of subsidies that have been provided for the past seven years.
These subsidies, based on the weight of sugarcane delivered to sugar mills, have been a crucial support system for sugarcane growers.
Mahendra Mahato, a farmer from Bardibas-9, said, “The government subsidy was a major support for us. Its exclusion from this year’s budget is concerning.
The government should reconsider this decision.” Many sugarcane farmers like Mahato are calling on authorities to ensure the continuation of the financial support they have long relied on.
Arun Giri, a 50-year-old farmer from Bhangaha-4, Ramnagar, who has been cultivating sugarcane for over two decades, said, “We’ve never received a fair price for our produce. Now that the subsidy has also been dropped, it’s time we consider alternative crops.”
He added that, although the subsidy was sometimes delayed, receiving it in a lump sum had been helpful in managing household and farming expenses.
Farmers are particularly concerned about whether they will receive the Rs 70 per quintal subsidy promised for the current fiscal year 2081/82.
Although the Treasury and Accounts Control Office has recommended a total of Rs 2.17 billion in subsidies for 14,533 sugarcane farmers who supplied to Everest Sugar Industry, there is uncertainty about when or if the funds will be released.
This uncertainty has deepened fears among farmers, as last year’s subsidies—amounting to Rs 2.03 billion for 14,444 farmers—were disbursed just before the Dashain festival.
Naresh Singh Kushwaha, President of the Sugarcane Producers’ Association, warned that the future of sugarcane farming is at risk. “Without a clear commitment in the budget, this farming is no longer sustainable,” he said.
Farmers are now urging the government to clarify its position and ensure that sugarcane farming—an important source of livelihood for thousands in the region—is not left unsupported.
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