The Haryana government has increased the State Advised Price (SAP) of sugarcane by Rs. 15 to Rs. 430 per quintal for the 2026-27 crushing season. It has also announced a further increase of Rs. 20 per quintal, taking the price to Rs. 450 for the 2027-28 season. This will translate into a cumulative increase of Rs. 35 per quintal over two years.
The announcement comes amid growing demands from farmers' organisations for a substantial increase in sugarcane prices, citing rising cultivation costs, higher sugar prices and the expanding value of sugarcane-based products, including ethanol. Farmer groups have been demanding at least Rs. 500 per quintal.
However, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced an increase of only Rs. 15 per quintal for the current season. Farmers will have to wait until the next crushing season to receive the promised rate of Rs. 450 per quintal.
Rs. 35 Per Quintal Increase Over Two Years
Announcing the revised sugarcane prices on Thursday, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the SAP would be raised from Rs. 415 to Rs. 430 per quintal for the 2026-27 crushing season. For 2027-28, the price will be increased by another Rs. 20 to Rs. 450 per quintal.
The Chief Minister said the two-year price increase would help farmers cope with rising cultivation costs. He added that announcing the price for the next season in advance would also enable farmers to plan their agricultural activities more effectively.
Farmers' Organisations Express Disappointment
Farmer organisations have termed the increase inadequate and disappointing, arguing that it does not reflect the rise in agricultural input costs.
Rakesh Bains, spokesperson for the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni), said an increase of Rs. 15 per quintal, equivalent to just 15 paise per kg, was insufficient to compensate farmers for the rising cost of cultivation. He said farmers had already demanded that the sugarcane price be increased to Rs. 600 per quintal.
He criticised the government for raising the price by such a small amount, saying it had dashed farmers' expectations.
Ratan Mann, president of the Haryana unit of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Tikait), also expressed dissatisfaction with the announcement. He pointed out that sugar prices were reaching Rs. 65-70 per kg, while the sugarcane price had been increased by just 15 paise per kg.
He described the decision as unfair to farmers, particularly in view of rising cultivation costs, and called for the government to reconsider the revised price.
Representatives of several farmer organisations had recently met the Chief Minister and raised concerns over increasing expenditure on diesel, labour and fertilisers, which has pushed up the cost of sugarcane cultivation.
Sugarcane Shortage Puts Pressure on Sugar Production
A shortage of sugarcane in the country has contributed to a decline in sugar production. To contain rising sugar prices, the Central Government has had to consider measures such as importing raw sugar and restricting the diversion of sugarcane juice and syrup for ethanol production.
Against this backdrop, encouraging farmers to expand sugarcane cultivation has become a challenge for both the government and the sugar industry.
However, the relatively small increase announced by Haryana could make it difficult to attract farmers towards sugarcane cultivation and ensure adequate cane supplies to sugar mills in the state.
Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Price Decision in Focus
The sugarcane price announced by Haryana is also likely to draw attention to the upcoming SAP decision in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
With the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections approaching, expectations are growing that the state government may announce an increase of at least Rs. 40-50 per quintal in the sugarcane SAP.
Sugarcane farmers in the state have been demanding higher prices, citing rising expenditure on cultivation, labour, irrigation and other agricultural inputs.
The decision by the Uttar Pradesh government will therefore be closely watched by farmers and the sugar industry, particularly after Haryana's announcement of a relatively modest increase.