Frustrated by what they term a 'fraudulent' and marginal increase in state-fixed prices, sugarcane farmers in Bihar's West Champaran district staged a fiery protest on Friday. The demonstrators burnt an effigy of the state's sugarcane minister on the main road near the subdivision headquarters in Bagaha.
Farmers Decry 'Insufficient' Price Hike as Betrayal
Dozens of gathered farmers accused the Bihar government of failing to keep its promises. Their central demand is a minimum price of not less than Rs 400 per quintal for their sugarcane crop. They argue that the recent announced increase is negligible and does not cover their spiraling costs of cultivation.
Chhote Srivastava, the state secretary of the Sugarcane Cultivators Association, provided a stark comparison. He stated that farmers in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh are receiving Rs 400 per quintal, while diesel prices there are approximately Rs 8 per litre cheaper than in Bihar. "This has made the cost of cultivation much higher for farmers in Bihar," Srivastava emphasized.
Official Hike Termed a 'Fraud' Against Cultivators
The protesters pointed to a recent letter from the state sugarcane department which mentions a price increase of Rs 15 per quintal for premium-grade cane and Rs 20 for medium-grade cane. Srivastava dismissed this hike, calling it a "fraud with farmers." He explained that even after this increase, the price for high-quality sugarcane would only reach Rs 380 per quintal, a figure he claims is far below the actual cost of production.
Farmer Naresh Prasad highlighted the practical difficulties. He said expenses on crucial operations like ploughing, irrigation, and transportation have risen sharply due to high diesel prices, while the sugarcane price has not been raised proportionately. "This has pushed farmers into a financial crisis," Prasad lamented.
Warning of Large-Scale Agitation and Sowing Boycott
During the protest, the farmers issued a stern warning to the state administration. They declared that if the government does not revise the price to meet their demand of Rs 400 per quintal, they will launch a large-scale agitation in the coming days. A more severe step under consideration is a potential boycott of sugarcane sowing for the next season.
Farmer Suresh Ram contextualized the protest's significance for the Bagaha region. He noted that a large population depends on agriculture, with most families earning their livelihood from sugarcane cultivation. "Despite being a cash crop, farmers are becoming frustrated and helpless due to the lack of a fair price," Ram stated, capturing the mood of the protesting community.
The protest underscores the growing discontent among Bihar's agricultural community, who feel sidelined by policy decisions that they believe do not reflect their economic realities. The state government is now faced with the challenge of addressing these concerns before the threat of a wider agitation materializes.
