‘Farmers Are Expected To Produce Cane, Get Caned.’

Raju Shetti, MP from Hat­kanangle and leader of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanga­than, has been credited with pulling off quite a few successful farmers’ protests in recent years. But he’s come under fire after having settled on a rate of Rs 2,650 per tonne of sugarcane for farmers. Excerpts from an interview:

Why did you accept a rate that was  below your initial demand?

We farmers are smart and we stop before it becomes too much. I have one principle: even if farmers cannot get benefits, I want to ensure that they do not have to suffer losses.

How will the sugarcane crisis across the country affect retail rates?

Although (farmers’) rates have fallen, retail rates haven’t. In Mumbai, I bou­ght sugar at Rs 37-45 per kilo. Even here, the rates are about Rs 34 per kilo. Why is sugar that should cost Rs 26 being sold for Rs 34? The sugar that was sold was never brought to market. Farmers are selling cheap but customers are buying expensive anyway. I know that companies and mills have manipulated prices.

What about support from mills, private or cooperative?

No one supports us. Even the cooperatives are on the other side. Some of them may sympathise with farmers, but don’t speak up for us.

And politicians?

All this is because big politicians have interests in Ren­uka Sugar. To cut their losses, India’s entire sugar sector is being held to ransom. They (politicians) are policymakers, traders and producers too. We are expected to deliver sugarcane and get beaten up by the cops.

So what are your demands now?

The government has to decide soon on an ethanol policy. Crude oil importers and the liquor lobby are putting pressure to delay the policy. (If ethanol is made and used as fuel) we’ll spend less on crude oil, farmers may make some money from ethanol and will no longer have to depend only on sugar. Only 18-20 per cent sugar is for consumption. To keep that price low,  is it fair to keep all rates low? Soft-drink makers and the like can be charged more. At least arrive at dual prices or set some additional surcharges (for such users), which can be diverted to farmers.

Is sugarcane no longer a good crop?

It is a more stable crop, but not profitable. We need to look at it as sugar and ethanol and not just sugar.