Patna: A delegation of the Bihar Sugar Mills Association (BSMA), led by its secretary Naresh Bhatt, met Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha in Patna on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum regarding issues faced by sugarcane growers in the state.
The delegation highlighted concerns over the availability of urea during the current growth phase of the sugarcane crop and the impact of waterlogging in cultivation areas.
Concerns over urea demand
According to the memorandum, Bihar has 10 operational sugar mills linked to around 2.5 lakh farmers. Sugarcane is cultivated across an estimated 2.6 lakh hectares in the state.
The association said the ongoing grand growth period is a critical stage for the crop, requiring adequate urea application. It warned that shortages could affect crop health, with farmers reporting yellowing leaves and concerns about potential yield losses.
Responding to the issue, Sinha said there was no shortage of fertilisers in Bihar. He directed the Agriculture Department’s senior officials to ensure the availability of urea for sugar mills and sugarcane farmers on a priority basis.
The minister also advised farmers to undertake soil testing and apply fertilisers according to crop requirements. He encouraged greater use of organic and natural fertilisers alongside conventional inputs.
Waterlogging issue under review
The delegation also raised concerns about waterlogging in sugarcane fields, which it said was affecting crop growth in several areas.
Sinha said the issue would be addressed through better coordination with the Minor Water Resources Department and measures to improve drainage systems.
He directed officials to convene a joint meeting of the Agriculture, Minor Water Resources and Cooperative departments to discuss long-term solutions.
Government response
The minister said addressing farmers’ concerns remained a priority for the state government and that steps would be taken to resolve issues related to fertiliser supply and waterlogging in a timely manner.
The BSMA delegation welcomed the minister’s response and thanked him for taking up the matter with the concerned departments.
