Margao: The closure of the Sanjivani sugar factory has led to a major change in the state’s farming pattern, with nearly 60% of farmers giving up sugarcane cultivation, reported The Times of India.
According to official records, the number of sugarcane growers has dropped from 676 in 2020-21 to 497 in 2024-25. The biggest shift happened this year alone, with over 42% of farmers moving away from the crop.
The crisis began in 2019-20 when the factory stopped crushing operations, leaving cultivators without a buyer for their cane. Since then, farmers have steadily shifted to alternative crops.
“The factory shutting down has left farmers with no choice,” said an agriculture department source. “Vegetable farming is proving better for them because it takes less time and the market is steady.”
Many former cane growers have now taken up vegetables such as brinjal, okra, cluster beans, green chillies, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, cucumber, ginger, ridge gourd and ash gourd. These crops provide quicker income and assured sales compared to sugarcane, which requires a long-term commitment and reliable processing facilities.
As of now, only 298 farmers continue to cultivate sugarcane — less than half of those who once depended on it.
To help those affected, the government has provided over ₹44 crore in financial aid between 2020-21 and 2024-25. The support began at ₹3,000 per tonne and has gradually reduced to ₹2,200 per tonne this year. In May, the government issued a notification confirming that assistance will continue for the remaining cane growers, based on the fair and remunerative price (FRP) guidelines set by the National Cooperative Sugar Federations.
