Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu has announced the formation of a high-level committee to examine the challenges faced by sugarcane farmers and propose effective solutions.
This decision came after a review meeting held at the Secretariat, where sugarcane farmers, industry representatives, and chairpersons of the Sugarcane Development Council (CDC) were present.
The Minister highlighted the government’s concern over the consistent decline in the area dedicated to sugarcane cultivation in the state in recent years. The committee, which will be led by the Special Chief Secretary of the IT and Industries Department, is tasked with preparing a comprehensive report.
The committee will conduct a comparative analysis of the benefits, incentives, and subsidies offered to sugarcane farmers in other states and submit its recommendations as soon as possible. Additionally, it will review the request to continue subsidies for drip irrigation systems, which officials believe could boost yields by 8–9 tonnes per acre.
Minister Sridhar Babu also assured that he would raise the farmers’ demand with the Chief Minister to extend the ₹500 per quintal bonus—currently provided for fine paddy—to sugarcane as well.
