10-day deadline issued: Farmers demand Rs650 per maund sugarcane price

Business Recorder reported that farmer groups have given the government 10 days to set a sugarcane support price and begin crushing, warning of a march to Islamabad if their demands are not met. They are seeking Rs650 per maund for sugarcane and Rs4,500 per maund for wheat. The groups say no sugarcane price notification or crushing start date has been announced.

At a Karachi Press Club briefing, representatives said mills had not started operations despite the season being expected to begin on November 1, and growers were still awaiting payment for cane already supplied. They also called for attention to surplus sugar stocks, water shortages, and higher DAP fertiliser and diesel costs. The groups said they would decide their next steps on Thursday evening.