Although the Cabinet decided to provide sugarcane farmers with a subsidy of Rs. 35 per quintal this year, the Ministry of Finance has delayed releasing the amount citing technical reasons. The delay in disbursement has forced farmers to launch protests in Kathmandu.
Previously, farmers had been receiving Rs. 70 per quintal as an incentive. The Ministry of Agriculture had proposed continuing the same rate, but considering the country’s economic situation and financial needs, the government approved only Rs. 35 per quintal.
Meanwhile, talks were held between the sugarcane farmers and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture at Singha Durbar. On behalf of the ministry, Deputy Director General of the Agriculture Department Lalan Kumar Singh, Under-Secretaries Lal Kumar Shrestha and Maniratna Aryal, along with representatives from the Ministry of Industry, participated in the discussion. Farmers were represented by Shyam Babu Rai and others.
Earlier today, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari formed a four-member negotiation team led by Deputy Director General Singh to hold dialogue with the agitating farmers.
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