Kathmandu. The government has released rs 750 million as subsidy to sugarcane farmers. About 21.6 million quintals of sugarcane supplied by farmers of 13 districts across the country to the sugar industry has been sent to the farmers.

Information Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mahananda Joshi, said that the amount has been provided to the farmers as per the provision of rs 585 per quintal subsidy by the sugar industry and Rs 30 per quintal by the government. According to him, arrangements have been made to pay the amount to the bank account of the farmers through the office of the Controller of Funds and Accounts in the district. He informed that some farmers have already received the money sent from the ministry.

Last year, the government had been providing subsidy amount to farmers at the rate of Rs 70 per quintal, but due to lack of budget, the subsidy amount was reduced by half to Rs 35 per quintal. The government’s decision to provide a subsidy of Rs 35 per quintal to sugarcane farmers this time through a cabinet meeting had delayed the release due to technical reasons. The farmers have been demanding timely payment of the amount and not to cut the incentive amount.

Commercial sugarcane is cultivated in Siraha, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Rautahat, Bara, Nawalparasi and other districts. The government has provided subsidy amount to increase sugarcane production by encouraging farmers.