PANAJI
In what could give a major relief to over 700-odd sugarcane farmers -- whose livelihoods have been affected due to closure of the State’s lone sugar factory -- the Goa Government in all likelihood may extend the Special Assistance scheme to these farmers. The five-year compensation scheme, introduced in 2020, will end this year, with farmers, so far, getting benefits to the tune of Rs 40 crore.
In lieu of the Dharbandora-based Sanjivani Sugar Factory’s closure in 2019, the government in 2020 notified a scheme “Special Assistance for Sugarcane Growers” in the State, for a period of five years.
Speaking to The Goan, Agriculture Director Sandeep Fol Dessai said that so far no decision has been taken on granting extension to the scheme; however, he said that the department will have no objection if the government intends to extend it.
“The final decision will be taken by the Chief Minister. But, there is every possibility that the benefits would be extended,” he said.
When contacted, Administrator of Sanjivani Rajesh Desai said the government, from 2020-21 till 2023-24, has paid around Rs 40 crore to close to 700 farmers, while this year's compensation is under consideration.
According to the information provided by the Administrator, in the first year -- 2020-21, total 731 farmers were paid compensation of Rs 11.83 crore, at a rate of Rs 3,000 per metric tonne. For the year 2021-22, the rate was revised to Rs 2,800 per metric tonne, as per which Rs 10.28 cr were paid to 690 farmers.
In 2022-23, total 665 farmers were paid compensation of Rs 8.86 cr at a rate of Rs 2,600 per metric tonne, while last year, the government shelled out Rs 8.32 crore to 682 farmers. The rate fixed by the government was Rs 2,400 per metric tonne.
Sources in the State government confirmed that the Chief Minister is keen to extend the scheme to the farmers in the coming year. “Until the time, the government is able to redevelop or put in operation the sugar factory, the government will have to take care of the sugarcane growers,” sources said, adding ‘CM may announce the plan in the Budget 2025-26’.
As per the existing scheme, the farmers taking benefit of this scheme shall not be eligible to assure price for sugarcane under the scheme Assured Price for Agriculture Produce nor are they being paid any additional charges for harvesting and transportation of sugarcane.
The government has proposed to redevelop the factory as an ethanol manufacturing facility.
