Nowadays, the sugarcane growers are seen desperate and disturbed in the sugarcane growing belt of Sindh, once known as Cuba of Sindh, including Thatto, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan, Ghotki and also Mirpur Khas. Normally, the sugarcane crushing season used to begin on November 1 in the province but unfortunately, like past two consecutive years, this year too, mill owners of 36 sugar mills in the province, of which major ratio of the owners is in the corridors of power and politics, are using dilatory tactics and exploiting the inflation and disaster-hit growers and also trying to ravage and ruin the agricultural economy of the province with this devilish design to invest less and earn exorbitant profits.
It is noticed that in this moment of manipulation and episode of exploitation of the growers, the sugarcane commissioner and other relevant authorities are in a deep slumber and there is none to take notice of this anti-grower and anti-economy behaviour of the sugar mill owners in the province.
It is now time that the provincial government took concrete steps to protect the sugarcane growers and industry as well. I am confident if the growers and labourers are protected from the exploitation by the sugar mill owners and given enhanced rates, ensured timely payments, it would have a positive impact on the agriculture sector in the province. If otherwise, the rural economy will be massively damaged because the growers will not have resources, including money to purchase agri-inputs, in proper season to cultivate and such a situation will lead to “food insecurity” and inflation problem in the coming days in the province.
HASHIM ABRO
Islamabad