A large number of sugarcane farmers in Kailai have switched to other crops in the past two-and-a-half decades, data from the district’s Agriculture Knowledge Centre show.
The cash crop was cultivated in 700 hectares of land in the district 25 years ago, but it has shrunk to 225 hectares in recent years, according to the centre.
Along with the lack of grants for chemical fertiliser, seeds and other materials, officials at the centre say farmers have been less attracted to grow sugarcane in the absence of a market.
More farmers in the district cultivated sugarcane as long as the Basuling Sugar Mill, established more than two-and-a-half decades ago, remained in operation.
Farmers still involved in the profession say the provincial government has not provided them any grant so far.
The district produced 8,307 tonnes of sugarcane in fiscal year 2021/22 and 9,450 tonnes in 2022/23, said Shyam Joshi, Information Officer at the centre.
Sugarcane farmer Ganesh Shahi of Ghodaghodi Municipality-4 said besides grants, improved seeds and necessary tools, the authorities concerned also need to impart farmers knowledge and skills for commercial sugarcane farming.
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