In a historic milestone for Punjab's agriculture sector, the state government has achieved 100 per cent clearance of sugarcane dues for the first time during the 2025-26 crushing season. A total of Rs 695.36 crore has been disbursed to farmers for their produce, according to PUNSUP Chairman Prabhbir Singh Brar.
Record Sugarcane Procurement
Speaking in Amritsar, Brar revealed that sugar mills across Punjab procured a record 167.20 lakh quintals of sugarcane during the season. He emphasized that all outstanding payments to farmers have been cleared, marking a significant achievement for the cooperative sector.
“Timely and direct payment of sugarcane dues has strengthened the confidence of farmers in the government’s policies and provided much-needed financial relief to sugarcane growers,” Brar stated.
Boosting Crop Diversification
The chairman highlighted that government efforts to encourage farmers to move beyond the traditional wheat-paddy cycle are yielding positive results. Sugarcane cultivation is emerging as a viable alternative crop that contributes to crop diversification, improves farm incomes, and supports sustainable agricultural growth.
Sugarcane farming and the sugar industry have long played a crucial role in generating employment and supporting livelihoods for thousands of farming families across Punjab. To further promote this sector, cooperative sugar mills have introduced several farmer-centric initiatives.
Farmer-Centric Initiatives
These initiatives include the supply of quality seeds, subsidized agricultural machinery, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Additionally, facilities such as soil testing, awareness camps, and training programs are being provided to help farmers improve productivity and adopt scientific farming practices.
Brar expressed optimism that these measures will not only boost sugarcane production but also contribute to the overall economic development of the state's agricultural sector.
