PONDA: With sugarcane crushing season likely to commence in a few days, the farmers supplying sugarcane to Sanjeevani Sugar Factory have threatened an agitation and even to block the highway, if their long pending demands are not met immediately.
Farmers affiliated to Goa Sugarcane Farmers Association (GSFA) are the main suppliers of sugarcane to the the government-run factory at Dharbandora.
Addressing the media persons, GSFA President Rajendra Desai said the farmers are unhappy that their long pending demands have not been met by government.
He said that the farmers even met the Agricultural Minister, Vijay Sardesai, and other government officials to press for their demands. “However, till date the government has not met our demands,” Desai regretted.
The sugarcane farmers have been demanding Rs 1000 hike on a tonne of sugarcane – that is Rs 4000 per tonne of sugarcane. The farmers are also demanding that sugarcane cutting charges be hiked to Rs 600 from the exiting Rs 200.
To take a final decision on their course of action to press for their demands, the farmers’ association has convened a meeting on November 8 in the premises of Sanjeevani Sugar Factory.
