Farmers Demand a ₹2 Lakh Reward for Loan Repayment

Sugarcane farmers in Maharashtra have put forward a significant demand, calling for a uniform price for sugarcane across the entire state. Additionally, they have requested that those who repay their loans should receive a financial incentive of ₹2 lakh.

Sugarcane farmers in Maharashtra are demanding a consistent price for sugarcane throughout the state, along with a financial grant of ₹2 lakh for farmers who repay their loans on time. They have also called for an expanded relief package for drought-affected regions.

On Monday, a delegation of farmers—led by Rajiv Kasbe, state president of the Krantikari Shetkari Sanghatana—submitted a memorandum of their demands to Maharashtra’s Minister for Cooperation, Babasaheb Patil, in Ahmadpur.

Uniform Pricing for Farmers

Farmers point out that in Western Maharashtra, the price paid for sugarcane is ₹4,200 per tonne, whereas farmers in Marathwada and other parts of the state do not receive this rate. They question why there is a disparity in pricing when sugarcane is cultivated across the entire state.

Farmer leaders argue that the earnings of sugar mills should be taken into account when determining the price of sugarcane. Beyond sugar, mills generate significant revenue from by-products such as molasses, bagasse, and ethanol; farmers, they contend, should receive a fair share of these gains.

A ₹2 Lakh Incentive for Farmers

The farmers' delegation has demanded that those who consistently repay their loans be granted a financial incentive of ₹2 lakh. Furthermore, they have requested aid of ₹1 lakh per hectare for farmers affected by drought. They have also sought a special financial package of ₹1 lakh for families of agricultural laborers. Other Demands of the Farmers

Beyond this, farmers have raised several other demands, including the provision of water and fodder in drought-affected areas. These demands are as follows:

Permanent drinking water arrangements should be established for both people and livestock in drought-affected regions.
Fodder for livestock should be made available to cattle rearers at their doorsteps.
Fair prices for sugarcane must be ensured at all sugar mills across the state.
Arbitrary interest rates charged by microfinance companies should be curbed.
Strict legislation should be enacted against companies that harass farmers during the loan recovery process.
Farmers have called for stringent laws—modeled after those in Karnataka—to regulate microfinance companies.

Agitation to Continue Until Demands Are Met

Rajiv Kasbe, president of the farmers' organization, stated that farmers must receive fair prices for their sugarcane. He emphasized that adequate relief should be provided to drought-affected families, and farmers who have taken loans must be protected from harassment. He added that the organization will continue its agitation and maintain dialogue with the government until appropriate action is taken regarding the farmers' demands.