Kathmandu. Lawmaker Binod Chaudhary has cautioned the government not to cut the subsidy given to sugarcane farmers. Speaking at the zero hour of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Chaudhary strongly demanded the government to ensure the rights and fair prices of sugarcane farmers.

Sugarcane farmers are protesting against the government’s decision to cut the subsidy provided to sugarcane farmers by half from Rs 70 per quintal. Chaudhary, who was elected from West Nawalparasi, which has a majority of sugarcane farmers, has opposed the government’s move and has stood firmly in favor of sugarcane farmers.

Lawmaker Chaudhary has raised a strong voice in the parliament saying that the grant given by the government cannot be cut under any pretext. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and sugarcane production is an important part of it,” Chaudhary said. This is not a good sign for Nepal’s agriculture sector and the economy as a whole. ’

Stating that the cost of production is constantly increasing and the lack of chemical fertilizers has further affected the farmers, Chaudhary said, “Sugarcane and banana girls need twice as much chemical fertilizer as compared to other children, but the farmers have not been able to get even minimum fertilizer.” Chaudhary said the government’s decision to cut the subsidy amount of Rs 70 per quintal given to sugarcane farmers in the past was painful for the farmers and demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision.

“It is unfortunate that income cannot be ensured at a time when it is difficult to meet the cost of production,” Chaudhary said. Expressing full support to the recent farmers’ agitation at Maitighar, he urged the government not to deviate from its own decisions and implement farmer-friendly policies.

Sugarcane farmers across the country had protested against the subsidy cut in the capital from August 28 to 15. They have returned to the district with the announcement of blocking the highway if their demands are not met immediately. Against this backdrop, Lawmaker Chaudhary cautioned the government to meet the demands of sugarcane farmers immediately.

Chaudhary has been raising his voice in parliament for a long time regarding the problems of sugarcane farmers and banana farmers. In the past too, he played a big role in getting timely payments to sugarcane farmers. Chaudhary has been continuously taking initiatives in parliament and various government bodies regarding the production, market, price, fertilizer and payment seen in nepal’s agricultural sector. “The government should immediately provide the subsidy amount and give due respect to the labour of the farmers,” Chaudhary stressed.