Around 600 sugarcane farmers from 13 districts, from Morang to Kanchanpur, have been protesting at Maitighar in Kathmandu since last Sunday. Sugarcane farmers have been protesting for years because they are not getting the amount of sugarcane they sold and sometimes they have to get government subsidies. Why is their latest movement different from the past? What are their demands and is it a demand that the government cannot fulfill? Why sugarcane farmers are being forced to come to the streets again and again? We have tried to explain this topic through question and answer.

Why are sugarcane farmers agitated?
Last November, the government increased the support price of sugarcane by 20 rupees per kg compared to the previous year and fixed the support price of sugarcane at 585 rupees per quintal. This price is the price provided by the sugarcane mill to the farmer. But on June 23, this government reduced the subsidy of Rs 70 per quintal, which was previously given to sugarcane farmers, to Rs 35. Sugarcane farmers have protested against this. Earlier, they submitted a memorandum to Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Ramnath Adhikari, Industry, Commerce and Supply Minister Damodar Bhandari and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel. From submitting a memorandum to the Chief District Officer of the concerned district to protesting in the district, they have come to Kathmandu-centered movement after the government did not listen to them. This movement is being led by the Sugarcane Producers Federation.

Is the problem of sugarcane farmers new?
This problem of sugarcane farmers is not new. In every season, sometimes they are cheated by industrialists and sometimes by government agencies. Although the government sets the support price of sugarcane, the industrialists do not buy it at the same price. They also delay the time of payment . According to Sugarcane Farmers Sangharsh Samiti, they have been continuously protesting since May 31, 2076. They formed Kisan Sangharsh Samiti in June 2076. Since then they have been protesting again and again. Sometimes asking for payment for sugarcane sold and sometimes keeping the work to get government subsidy on time .

In October 2077, they had a continuous protest for 16 days in Maitighar. At that time, 4 points were agreed between the government and Sugarcane Farmers Sangharsh Samiti . In July 2078, the sugarcane farmers again came to protest saying that the sugar mills did not pay the farmers 29 crores. Since then, they have been continuously involved in various movements, sometimes in Kathmandu and sometimes in districts. But the latest movement is focused on the government reducing the subsidy amount. 

Why has the government reduced the amount of subsidy for sugarcane farmers?
The Ministry of Finance has been reluctant to grant subsidies to sugarcane farmers, showing that despite the positive external indicators of the economy, the state of government finances is critical and the expected improvement in revenue collection and capital expenditure has not been achieved. Last December, the Ministry of Agriculture proposed to give a subsidy of Rs 70 per quintal. But Artha did not agree saying that there was no money in Dhukuti. Then the Ministry of Agriculture has a budget of 800 million. It was proposed to give 70 rupees per quintal. But to give subsidy at the rate of 70 rupees per quintal, an amount of more than one and a half billion was required .

which the Ministry of Agriculture alone could not do. After Artha did not agree, the Ministry of Agriculture proposed to the Council of Ministers to give a rate of Rs 35 per quintal. Artha has said that the money will reach the farmer's account at the rate of Rs 35 per quintal till Thursday. But the farmers do not agree with it . 

How big is the problem of sugarcane farmers?   
The problem of sugarcane farmers is not a common issue. Because sugarcane is cultivated in 89 thousand 918 hectares across the country. Sarlahi, Morang, Sirha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Nawalparasi, Kailali, Kanchanpur and other districts are involved in sugarcane cultivation.

Sugarcane cultivation has been decreasing in the last 5 years due to government policies. According to Economic Survey 2081/82, sugarcane was cultivated in 64 thousand 354 hectares in 2077/78. From that, 31 lakh 83 thousand 943 tons of sugarcane was produced. In 2081/82, only 57 thousand 355 hectares of sugarcane were cultivated. From which 28 lakh 83 thousand 6 hundred 3 tons of sugarcane was produced . In the last 5 years, Sugarcane production has decreased by 6,999 hectares. If sugarcane production continues to decline, our dependence on sugar is certain to increase. 

Why is the concern of common people connected with the problem of sugarcane farmers?
Sugarcane farmers' relationship is connected with the market of sugar produced in the country. Because every year there are reports of shortage of sugar and black market of sugar during the festival. There is an annual demand of 285 thousand metric tons of sugar in Nepal. But the production has not been able to meet the demand. This problem is repeated every year because sugarcane production cannot be increased and sugar production cannot be increased within the country .