Rayat Kranti Sanghatana threatens hunger strike in Satara unless cane gets Rs 5,000 a tonne
The organisation has asked for a Rs 5,000 per tonne cane price and a meeting of mill owners, as harvesting begins before prices are announced.
The issue of sugarcane prices has heated up again in Satara district. The Rayat Kranti Sanghatana has demanded that cane be priced at Rs 5,000 per tonne. Prakash alias Sonu Sable, the organisation's youth district president, has warned that if the demand is not met, it will go on a hunger strike.
The organisation says cane growers are struggling with several financial difficulties this year. Rising production costs, costlier fertiliser, labour charges and drought-like conditions have pushed farmers into financial distress. Other farming expenses have also raised costs considerably.
Farmers have invested large capital and effort in growing cane. The organisation argues that they should get a fair return for their labour, which is why it has demanded a price of Rs 5,000 per tonne.
Meanwhile, several sugar mills in Satara district have not yet announced a cane price, yet harvesting has begun in some places. This has left farmers confused about exactly what price their cane will fetch. Harvesting starting before the price is fixed has become a worry for farmers.
All farmers' organisations are demanding Rs 5,000 per tonne, but no positive response has so far come from the mill owners.
The Rayat Kranti Sanghatana has asked the administration to intervene immediately. It has submitted a memorandum to Resident Deputy Collector Nagesh Patil. The memorandum asks that a meeting of the owners of all sugar mills in the district be called, that talks be held with representatives of farmers' organisations, and that the cane price issue be resolved.
Prakash alias Sonu Sable has said clearly that if cane is not declared a price of Rs 5,000 per tonne, the organisation will go on a hunger strike. Madhukar Jadhav, district vice-president Devidas Jadhav and Rahul Pawar were present on the occasion.
