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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Closed mill robs farmers of sugarcane sweetness

Closed mill robs farmers of sugarcane sweetness

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published Published on Mar 22, 2017   modified Modified on Mar 22, 2017
-The New Indian Express

BARGARH: Harvesting of sugarcane in Bargarh district has been delayed by over three months, leaving the farmers worried. While sugarcane grown in the last kharif season is yet to be harvested, the target area for the crop in the current rabi season has been increased by almost 300 hectares (ha).

Harvesting has been stopped as the State-owned Bargarh Cooperative Sugar Mills that procures the entire sugarcane stock from farmers has been closed down by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from November last year. Farmers, who had taken loans to grow the crop, said they cannot harvest until the sugar mill reopens.

They are also apprehensive that delay in harvesting can result in decline in crop weight and sweetness, reducing its market value. Harvesting and crushing of sugarcane usually begins in December.

The sugarcane mill, which is the lone such facility in Bargarh, was closed down by the CPCB following violation of pollution control norms.

According to the reports of the Agriculture Department, a target was set to grow sugarcane in 1,000 ha of land but being a water-intensive crop, it could be cultivated in 750 ha in the last kharif season. Subsequently, it was planned to increase the area of cultivation to 1,350 ha in the current rabi season with introduction of Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative, Ratoon Management (Ratooning is a practice of growing a crop from the stubbles of previous crop) and the National Food Security Mission (NFSM)  under State Plan.

The farmers said crushing of sugarcane normally begins in December and harvesting at the right time not only ensures high sweetness content in the crop but also right weight. They are already three months beyond the schedule and at this stage, they are apprehensive that their crops will be rejected for procurement.

A delegation of the farmers called on Bargarh Collector Anjan Kumar Manik on February 27 and urged him to facilitate opening of the sugar mill. However, he expressed helplessness as the sugar mill has been closed by CPCB due to non-adherence of norms.

Regional Officer of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), Sambalpur, Hemendra Nath Naik informed that the CPCB had shut down the sugar mill and they had little role to play in it except forwarding the compliance report. He said the sugar mill has already complied with the shortcomings and a report in this regard has been forwarded by him to the CPCB.  

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The New Indian Express, 21 March, 2017, http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2017/mar/21/closed-mill-robs-farmers-of-sugarcane-sweetness-1583797.html


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