Legislators, farmers protest for higher sugarcane prices in India

Nov 19, 2009, 7:20 GMT

   New Delhi - Opposition legislators forced an adjournment of Parliament as thousands of farmers gathered in the Indian capital Thursday demanding higher prices for sugarcane crops than those fixed by the government.

   Farmers from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which produces 40 per cent of India's sugarcane, are demanding 280 rupees (about 6.02 dollars) per 100 kilograms of the crop, while the federal government has fixed the procurement price for mills at a little over 129 rupees.

   The Uttar Pradesh government has fixed the rate higher at 165 to 179 rupees.

   Thousands of farmers, waving sugar cane stems and shouting slogans, gathered in the heart of the Indian capital as the police warned commuters to stay away from the route of the rally.

   Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior Cabinet members were holding a meeting to sort out the pricing issue, NDTV news channel reported.

   Sugarcane farming was totally dependent on diesel for running irrigation pumps and the skyrocketing prices of the fuel made the government's price unviable for farmers, said Ajit Singh, one of the leaders of the protesting farmers.

   'If we don't get the right price for our crop, we will make sure no grain comes to Delhi and we will block all vehicles carrying milk, vegetables and grains,' a farmer at the rally was quoted as saying by IANS news agency.

   'If the government and mill owners don't agree on giving us the right price, we will burn the sugarcane, but not sell it,' another farmer said.

   The Indian capital shares borders with Uttar Pradesh.