Sugarcane farmers in Magura district are facing a headache as the mill authorities could not clear their dues till present.
Sources said the farmers did not show interest to grow the crop as they have to incur losses every year.
According to Magura sub zone of Modhukhali Sugar Mills Ltd, last year 732 acres of land was brought under the cultivation in the district. But the amount of sugarcane cultivated land has decreased and stood at 621 acres this year.
Five years ago, the number of farmers was more than 2,000 in the district but it is below 1,000 now.
Babul Sheikh, a farmer of Shibrampur village under Sadar upazila said: “Last year I sold 10 maunds of sugarcane to Modhukhali Sugar Mills Ltd. But I am yet to be paid a bill of Tk40,000.”
“Due to nonpayment of bill, I could not cultivate the crop this year,” he also said.
Farmer Abdur Razzak of Katakhali village said: “Last year I cultivated sugarcane on four acres of my land taking a loan on high interest from a local NGO.”
“As the mill authority did not pay the bill, I could not repay my loan of Tk 50,000,” he said.
“I am worried as the interest of the loan is increasing day by day,” he added.
Farmer leader Oaliaur Rahman of Sadar upazila said: “Soil and weather of the area are congenial for sugarcane cultivation. By cultivating the crop on an acre of land, a farmer can earn Tk1 lakh while his production cost is Tk20,000.”
“But the reality is that farmers have to suffer extremely as the sugar mill authorities do not pay the bill timely,” he also said.
“If government takes proper policy, sugarcane cultivation can change the lot of farmers,” Oaliaur added.
When contacted, Probir Mollik, assistant manager of Modhukhali Sugar Mills Ltd admitted the matter.
He also said: “As a huge amount of sugar is going unsold, we could not pay the bill to the farmers.”