Indian sugarcane farmers' debt and pricing protests

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has criticized Indian government sugar sector policies, alleging that unpaid arrears to sugarcane farmers have reached Rs 16,087 crore. Significant portions of this debt are attributed to Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. AIKS leaders argue that despite domestic sugar prices reaching a 16-year high, farmers are not benefiting, as value is instead captured by industrial users in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. Additionally, the organization noted that while mills profit from ethanol, power, and byproducts, farmers receive an inadequate share of these revenues.

In response to these economic pressures, farmers in northern India have intensified protests. In Haryana, organizations such as BKU (Charuni) and Ganna Kisan Sangharsh Samiti are demanding an increase in the State Advised Price (SAP) from Rs 415 to Rs 600 per quintal to offset rising input costs. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, farmers held a mahapanchayat in Meerut to demand the settlement of pending dues, improved electricity supply, and better fertilizer availability.