Palwal: The 42nd sugarcane crushing season at the Palwal cooperative sugar mill began on Friday with traditional rituals, including a havan, chanting of mantras and prayers. The start of the season has brought cheer to sugarcane farmers, who will now be able to sell their harvest and strengthen their financial position.
Haryana Cooperation and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma joined the inauguration virtually, interacted directly with the farmers present and extended his best wishes for the new season. He prayed for smooth operations throughout the crushing period and assured farmers and mill employees that they would not face any difficulties during the season.
Dr. Sharma said the sugar industry and the cooperation sector would play an important role in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Developed India” by 2047.
He added that both the central and state governments were fully committed to farmers’ welfare. Working with the resolve of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” the government aims to empower farmers. Over the last 11 years, the Centre has implemented several farmer-friendly schemes to boost income and foodgrain production.
Dr. Sharma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had taken multiple steps to increase farmers’ earnings by raising production, reducing costs, compensating losses and ensuring fair prices. He said a strong and self-reliant farming community was essential for India to become a developed nation.
The minister said the Union Ministry of Cooperation, under the guidance of Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, has set a target of establishing 150 new sugar mills across the country. This step supports the vision of a developed India.
He noted that Chief Minister Saini has demonstrated his commitment to farmers by announcing one of the highest sugarcane prices in the country. The state is also ensuring timely payment to farmers. The online token system has helped farmers save time while transporting cane to the mills.
Dr. Sharma described sugarcane farmers and sugar mills as complementary to each other, saying that farmers’ trust and cooperation were the biggest strength of the mill. He urged former sugarcane growers to return to sugarcane cultivation.
He reiterated that both the central and state governments were committed to protecting farmers’ interests and improving their economic condition by taking forward-looking and farmer-friendly decisions. He also encouraged farmers to adopt and promote indigenous products.
Before the minister’s address, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Harish Kumar Vashistha performed religious rituals to inaugurate the 42nd crushing season. He also pressed the button to start the machinery and placed the first sugarcane batch into the mill.
He honoured the farmers who brought the first cane trolleys of the season and thanked Dr. Arvind Sharma on behalf of the district administration and farmers for inaugurating the crushing season. He assured the minister that all instructions would be fully implemented and the mill would run at full capacity without any breakdowns.
