(a) whether sugarcane growers are shifting from cultivation of sugarcane to other cash crops and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(b) whether the Government has any plan to encourage the farmers for cultivation of sugarcane and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the other welfare measures taken by the Government for the welfare of sugarcane farmers during the last four years?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a): The area under sugarcane has increased from 47.32 lakh hectare during 2017-18 (4th Advance Estimates) to 51.58 lakh hectare during 2018-19 (1st Advance Estimates). The area under sugarcane cultivation depends on agro-climatic conditions, inter-crop profitability, irrigation facilities, resource availability with farmers and timely payment of cane dues to farmers by the mills etc.
(b): Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare is implementing Sugarcane Development Programme under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 13 major sugarcane growing states viz., Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh from 2014-15 with an aim for enhancing production and productivity. Under this scheme, thrust has been given on transfer of technology through frontline demonstrations and training in order to extend the benefits to the farmers. In addition, States can support Sugarcane Development Programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
(c): In order to protect the interest of farmers and to encourage them for cultivation of sugarcane, the Government fixes Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for every sugar season well in advance which is a bench mark price below which no sugar mill can purchase cane from farmers. Besides, FRP is linked to a basic recovery rate, with a premium payable to farmers for higher recoveries of sugar from sugarcane.
The Central Government also provides loans from Sugar Development Fund (SDF) at concessional rates to sugar mills for cane development thereby benefiting sugarcane farmers.
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