Kathmandu: The government has allocated approximately Rs 750 million as a grant to sugarcane farmers as part of its incentive programme. This funding corresponds to the payment for around 20,160,000 quintals of sugarcane supplied by farmers from 13 districts to sugar mills.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Mahananda Joshi, Information Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, stated that sugar mills pay farmers Rs 585 per quintal, while the government provides an additional Rs 30 per quintal as a grant. Joshi noted that the grant amount will be deposited directly into the farmers’ bank accounts through the respective District Treasury Controller Offices.
Previously, the grant was Rs 70 per quintal. However, due to budget constraints, the government has reduced the amount, which has resulted in delays in budget allocation and raised concerns among farmers regarding late payments. Commercial sugarcane farming is predominantly conducted in the districts of Sunsari, Siraha, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Rautahat, Bara, and Nawalparasi.