Indian farmers protest for higher sugarcane prices (Roundup)

Nov 19, 2009, 10:48 GMT

   New Delhi - Thousands of sugarcane farmers marched through the streets of the Indian capital Thursday disrupting traffic and paralysing key roads as they demanded higher prices for their crops.

   The protests affected India's Parliament which was adjourned soon after it met for the first day of its winter session as opposition legislators raised the pricing issue and disrupted proceedings.

   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 Uttar Pradesh government has fixed the procurement rate for sugarcane mills at 165 to 179 rupees.

   Sugar crushing mills in Uttar Pradesh have been sitting idle as disgruntled farmers withhold supplies raising concern about shortages. India is the world's largest sugar producer after Brazil, but is also one of the biggest consumers.

   Waving sugar cane stems and shouting slogans, the agitated farmers marched across central Delhi as the police warned commuters to stay away from the route of their rally.

Huge traffic jams were reported from several parts of central Delhi.

   Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior Cabinet members as well as senior ministers held meetings to try and sort out the pricing issue.

   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.