Gopalganj: Baikunthpur MLA Mithilesh Tiwari on Monday raised concerns in the Assembly over the failure to meet the 2024-25 target under the three-tier seed production programme being implemented as part of the Chief Minister’s Sugarcane Development Programme. He questioned the department’s functioning and sought a clear response from the government on sugarcane pricing.
Speaking during the discussion, Tiwari alleged lapses in achieving the seed production target and asked what steps were being taken to address the shortfall. He also pressed the government for clarity on the price to be paid to farmers for sugarcane in the current season.
Replying to the issue, the state’s Sugarcane Industry Minister informed the House that agreements have been signed with the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research and the Sugarcane Research Institute Pusa to help speed up seed production. The minister assured members that efforts were underway to achieve the target at the earliest.
He further announced that the sugarcane price for 2024-25 has been fixed at ₹360 per quintal.
Referring to a media report, the MLA pointed out that while some regions of Bihar face acute water shortages, others struggle with severe waterlogging, making farming difficult for cultivators. He recalled that a meeting on the issue had been held in 2022 under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, but said that no concrete action had followed.
Tiwari suggested that the Water Resources, Agriculture and Sugarcane Industry departments should work in coordination to find a lasting solution to both water scarcity and waterlogging. Such joint efforts, he said, would help farmers carry out cultivation smoothly and ensure that seed production targets are met on time.
Water Resources Minister Vijay Choudhary and the Sugarcane Industry Minister assured the House that the government would take necessary steps through coordinated action.
