In a significant move to bolster farmer welfare, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced a substantial increase in the State Advised Price (SAP) for sugarcane for the upcoming 2025-26 crushing season. The decision, approved on Saturday, marks a ₹30 per quintal hike across both early and general varieties of sugarcane.
Substantial Price Increase for Farmers
The revised rates represent a notable jump from the previous season. For the 2025-26 crushing season, the early variety of sugarcane will now fetch ₹405 per quintal, while the general variety has been priced at ₹395 per quintal. This compares favorably to the 2024-25 season rates of ₹375 per quintal for early variety and ₹365 per quintal for general variety.
Chief Minister Dhami emphasized that the Uttarakhand government's primary objective is to accelerate economic empowerment among farmers and ensure that sugarcane growers receive full and fair payment for their produce in a timely manner.
Balanced Decision After Extensive Consultations
The price determination process involved comprehensive discussions with multiple stakeholders. "The decision was taken after extensive consultations with cooperative, public and private sector sugar mills, the sugarcane development and sugar industry department, farmer organisations and other stakeholders," Dhami stated.
The Chief Minister explained that a balanced approach was adopted after proper analysis of several factors, including the fair and remunerative price (FRP) set by the central government, effective sugarcane prices in neighboring Uttar Pradesh, and the unique geographical and agricultural conditions of Uttarakhand.
Government's Commitment to Farmer Welfare
"Increasing sugarcane farmers' income, ensuring proper respect for their produce, and providing them with convenient, transparent and timely payment is the state government's responsibility," Dhami affirmed during the announcement.
The CM has directed concerned departments to ensure that purchase centers operate smoothly and payments are made to farmers without any unnecessary delays. This directive aims to address one of the perennial concerns in the agricultural sector regarding delayed payments for produce.
This price revision is expected to provide significant relief to sugarcane cultivators in Uttarakhand, who have been facing challenges due to rising input costs. The increased SAP will not only enhance farmer income but also encourage more sustainable cultivation practices in the state's sugarcane growing regions.
The move is particularly important as it comes ahead of the 2025-26 crushing season, giving farmers clear visibility on pricing and enabling better planning for the upcoming agricultural cycle.
