Kumar Bahukhandi
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai (centre), flanked by Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, meets representatives of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Chhattisgarh Pradesh, including organisation minister Manish Sharma and general secretary Naveen Shesh, during discussions that led to the decision to procure sugarcane at ₹425 per quintal. The revised rate will also apply to the 2025–26 crushing season.Photo: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s official X account (@vishnudsai).
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announces major relief for sugarcane farmers following discussions with Bharatiya Kisan Union representatives; revised procurement rate will also apply to sugarcane purchased during the 2025–26 crushing season
Key Highlights
- Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announces sugarcane procurement at ₹425 per quintal in Chhattisgarh’s sugar mills.
- Farmers whose sugarcane was procured during the 2025–26 crushing season will also receive payment at the enhanced rate.
- Decision follows discussions with a Bharatiya Kisan Union delegation led by organisation minister Manish Sharma and general secretary Naveen Shesh.
- Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma were present during the meeting.
- Sai reiterates his government’s commitment to improving agricultural profitability and strengthening farmers’ economic security.
Major Relief for Sugarcane Farmers in Chhattisgarh
Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced a significant decision in favour of Chhattisgarh’s sugarcane farmers, fixing the procurement price of sugarcane at ₹425 per quintal in the state’s sugar mills. In an additional measure aimed at ensuring that farmers receive the benefit of the revised rate, the government has decided that sugarcane procured during the 2025–26 crushing season will also be paid for at the enhanced price.
The announcement, shared by the Chief Minister through his official X account, followed a meeting with representatives of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, Chhattisgarh Pradesh.
The decision is expected to provide financial relief to sugarcane growers while reinforcing the state government’s stated commitment to improving agricultural incomes and making farming economically sustainable.
Farmers to Benefit from Revised Procurement Rate
The revised procurement price of ₹425 per quintal represents an important intervention in the sugarcane economy, where farmers must balance cultivation expenses, labour costs, irrigation requirements and transportation charges against the returns from their produce.
The government’s decision to extend the increased rate to procurement undertaken during the 2025–26 crushing season is particularly significant.
It means that eligible farmers whose sugarcane was purchased during that season will also receive the benefit of the enhanced rate rather than being excluded because their produce was procured earlier.
The announcement, however, did not specify the previous procurement rate, the total financial implications for the government or the administrative timetable for disbursing any additional payments.
These details are expected to become clearer through the relevant implementation instructions.
Bharatiya Kisan Union Delegation Meets Chief Minister
The decision followed discussions between Chief Minister Sai and a delegation of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, Chhattisgarh Pradesh.
The delegation included organisation minister Manish Sharma and general secretary Naveen Shesh, along with other representatives.
Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma were also present during the meeting.
The discussions centred on the interests of sugarcane farmers and the need to ensure better financial returns for their agricultural produce.
The meeting highlighted the importance of engagement between the government and farmers’ organisations in addressing issues concerning procurement prices and agricultural livelihoods.
Prosperity of Annadata Central to Chhattisgarh’s Development
In his X message, Chief Minister Sai linked the prosperity of farmers with the broader economic progress of Chhattisgarh.
He emphasised that ensuring fair returns for agricultural produce and making farming profitable remain central objectives of his government.
The Chief Minister conveyed that the administration would continue working towards strengthening the economic position of farmers, recognising their contribution to the state’s development.
The announcement reflects the government’s emphasis on improving agricultural remuneration and addressing the financial concerns of cultivators.
Higher Procurement Price Could Strengthen Rural Economy
Sugarcane cultivation involves substantial investment and careful management throughout the crop cycle.
From preparing agricultural land and obtaining planting material to irrigation, fertilisation, harvesting and transportation, growers incur expenses well before receiving payment for their produce.
A higher procurement price can help improve returns, particularly when cultivation costs are rising.
The revised rate may also support economic activity in sugarcane-growing regions by increasing the amount farmers receive for their harvests.
However, the actual financial benefit to individual cultivators will depend on the quantity supplied, eligibility under the revised arrangement and timely payment by the concerned sugar mills.
Implementation and Timely Payments Will Be Crucial
While the announcement offers encouraging news for sugarcane farmers, its effectiveness will ultimately depend on implementation.
Ensuring that procurement records for the 2025–26 crushing season are accurately verified and that eligible farmers receive the enhanced payment will be essential.
Transparent procedures and timely disbursement can strengthen confidence in the procurement system and help farmers plan their future agricultural activities.
The decision also underlines the importance of maintaining regular communication between farmers, cooperative institutions, sugar mills and government authorities.
Commitment to Agricultural Prosperity
The Chief Minister’s announcement places farmers’ economic welfare at the centre of the government’s agricultural policy priorities.
By raising the sugarcane procurement rate and extending the benefit to an earlier crushing season, the state government has sought to ensure that cultivators receive improved returns for their labour.
For the farming community, the significance of the decision lies not only in the announced price but also in the assurance that their contribution to the state’s economy is being recognised.
The real measure of the initiative will be how effectively the revised rate translates into timely payments, stronger farm incomes and greater economic security for Chhattisgarh’s sugarcane growers.
