New Delhi: Coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown have not only left industries and businesses reeling under its impact, but the farming sector has also been hit the hardest.
The woes of sugarcane growing farmers don’t seem to end any soon as mills, where they sell their produce, are struggling to sell sugar in the market due to lockdown.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Kisan Shakti Singh President Pushpendra Singh said that the demand for sugar has reduced tremendously amid lockdown due to which sugarcane farmers will have to suffer big time.
"Around 75 per cent of sugarcane production is for domestic use and since the lockdown is in force, the demand has dried up. Exports are also down because of the global crisis. There is a huge strain in the millers as they have almost exhausted their working capital. The prevailing crisis will adversely affect the farmers," said Singh.
He further advised farmers to focus on growing paddy and pulses as the demand of sugar is expected to to be low even after lockdown is eased.
It is pertinent to mention here that the sugarcane farmers across the country are facing severe roadblocks in transporting their produce to sugar mills, most of which are shut anyway.
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