PONDA: Goan farmers, who were supplying their sugarcane produce to Sanjeevani have stated sending their produce to Karnataka sugar factory since Sunday.
According to sources, the farmers on Sunday and Monday have sent around 124 tonnes of sugarcane to Laila Sugar Factory at Khannapur.
As per the farmers’ demand, before sending the sugarcane to Karnataka, the produce was weighed at Sanjeevani sugar factory. It is learnt that government will pay the farmers for sugarcane sent to Khannapur Sugar Factory.
The seven trucks laden with sugarcane sent from Goa include 3 from Maina Quepem, 2 from Karmane-Kirlapal and one each from Sanvordem-Sattari and Vazarem-Pernem.
It is pertinent to note that the Sanjeevani sugar factory has decided not to commence the crushing season this year on account of old machinery and annual expenses incurred every year to the tune of around Rs 6 crore for making the machinery operational for the season.
It may be recalled that Cooperation Minister Govind Gaude had earlier said sugar factory would not operate this season. The factory maintenance cost is estimated at Rs 6 crore, and investing such a big amount to run the same is not feasible.
He had informed that the Government is planning to set up a new sugar factory at the Sanjeevani Factory before the next crushing season.
Earlier, there were reports that if the crisis continues, then alternative products such as ethanol would be considered as a replacement. This effort by Cooperation Minister had created hope among farmers and workers.
It may be recalled that Sanjeevani Sugar Factory has registered a loss of Rs 101.22 crore in past 45 years since its inception due to miss management and various reasons.
The government has ensured that sugarcane produced by farmers will be bought at the market price.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had assured the sugarcane farmers that they would not incur any loss this season as the government would purchase their sugarcane produce and supply it to the factories in other States, besides providing support price to the farmers.
