At an impressive congregation of sugarcane growers organised by RLD chief Ajit Singh here on Thursday, farmers unanimously refused to sell their crop to sugar factories unless the government raised the price. The RLD chief extended a three-day ultimatum to the Centre, the Mayawati government and sugar factories to give higher prices to the growers or face an all out agitation.

“The price of Rs 165-170 is simply not acceptable to us. We will give just three days to decide. If they don’t declare a higher price by November 9, then everything will come to a standstill — rail, road, government offices... Farmers will even reach Delhi and ghearo Parliament,” Singh declared amidst thunderous applause from farmers who had gathered in huge numbers here for the Mahapanchayat organised by the RLD.

Uttar Pradesh is the largest sugarcane growing state in the country and the issue of price at which mills buy cane from growers has led to severe discontent among farmers even though the state government has increased the price compared to last year. The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) fixed by the Centre is Rs 130 while the State Advisory Price is between Rs 165 and 170.

Farmers, however, said Rs 170 was a very low price and not in line with the current market price. “Last year, when sugar was selling at Rs 15/kg, the price of cane was Rs 145 and now when it is selling at Rs 40/kg the Centre has fixed Rs 130. The government is driving the farmers to suicide,” said Singh. Many of the assembled farmers said they were ready to burn their crop rather than sell it at the present price.

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