The state government is making concerted efforts to expand the area under sugarcane cultivation before setting up new sugar mills, aiming to ensure an adequate supply of cane to the mills and avoid shortages in the future.
As part of this initiative, farmers in regions where sugarcane is not traditionally grown will be provided free sugarcane seed for cultivation on up to five acres. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Sugar Industry Department chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Senthil Kumar, reported Dainik Jagran.
Addressing a state-level review meeting, officials emphasized the need to develop non-traditional sugarcane areas and intensify awareness campaigns among farmers to encourage them to take up sugarcane cultivation.
The Additional Chief Secretary directed that all pending payments to sugarcane farmers be cleared within 15 days, warning that any negligence in this matter would not be tolerated. He also issued instructions to ensure the registration of all sugarcane farmers in the state within the same time frame.
Earlier, the meeting reviewed key issues including cane price payments, the Chief Minister Sugarcane Development Scheme, mechanization initiatives, jaggery promotion schemes, problems faced by sugar mills, the establishment of new mills, and other related programs.
Officials reiterated that the state government is running several schemes in the interest of farmers and stressed the need to ensure that the intended benefits reach them effectively.
Sugarcane Commissioner Anil Kumar Jha said that the targets set under the certified seed production incentive program must be achieved under all circumstances. He added that officials and stakeholders delivering better performance would be honored with certificates of appreciation.
The meeting was attended by Joint Sugarcane Commissioner JPN Singh, general managers of all sugar mills, deputy directors, assistant directors, and other departmental officials.
In a related development, 72 schemes have been identified to address waterlogging in sugarcane-growing regions. Instructions had been issued on December 30 last year to conduct surveys and prepare priority-based plans to resolve waterlogging issues.
On Friday, the Water Resources Department and the Sugar Industry Department jointly reviewed compliance with these directives. Surveys are currently underway in districts to assess canals, canal structures, sluice gates, culverts, drainage cleaning, and encroachment removal in sugarcane cultivation areas.
So far, 72 schemes have been identified in West Champaran, East Champaran, and Samastipur districts. Once implemented, these projects are expected to free approximately 61,590 acres of farmland from waterlogging.
Chairing the review meeting, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department, S.K. Mall, directed officials to complete the surveys at the earliest and submit reports to facilitate the preparation of priority-based action plans.
