Farmers across western Uttar Pradesh, represented under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), submitted a detailed 12-point memorandum on Wednesday outlining the pressing problems they face related to sugarcane pricing, rural infrastructure, timely payments and public welfare schemes. The delegation, led by BKU district president Anurag Chaudhary, visited the Meerut district collectorate to formally lodge their demands addressed to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Panchayat chairperson Jagbir Chaudhary also accompanied the group, underscoring the broad support for the issues raised.

The principal grievance centred around the latest revision of the state’s sugarcane support price. Farmers acknowledged that the government had recently increased the support price by eight per cent. However, they argued that this increase had been rendered ineffective by a simultaneous and substantial rise of 33.33 per cent in transportation charges. According to the farmers, this steep hike in transport costs negates the intended benefit of the price increase, thereby reducing the actual income realised by sugarcane growers. They urged the state government to roll back the increased transportation rate so that the net gain from the support price revision can reach growers without erosion.

In addition to the core pricing issue, the memorandum highlighted concerns about the classification and remuneration of rejected sugarcane varieties. Farmers pointed out that the price of these varieties had historically been adjusted by ₹5 to ₹10 during annual revisions, but this year no change was announced. Given the growing input costs and market uncertainties, they emphasised that stagnant rates for rejected varieties impose an unfair burden on several growers who cultivate such cane, either by choice or due to local agronomic conditions. An upward revision, they argued, is essential for ensuring parity and fairness in the pricing structure.

Another key demand involved expanding the reach and inclusivity of the electricity department’s one-time settlement scheme. Farmers requested that small rural industries, particularly flour mills and oil crushers that operate on narrow profit margins, be included under the scheme. These industries form the backbone of rural economies and are closely linked to the livelihood of farmers. By including them in the settlement scheme, the state would help stabilise rural industrial activity, reduce financial stress on micro-entrepreneurs and ensure continuity of essential services in village communities.

The condition of rural roads emerged as another major point of concern. Farmers noted that certain roads, which were originally constructed and maintained by the sugarcane department, had been transferred to the Public Works Department (PWD). However, many of these roads remain incomplete or in a poor state due to delays in PWD-led construction and repairs. This adversely affects transportation of cane to mills, movement of farm inputs and access to essential services in village areas. Alongside this, the memorandum demanded timely approval of funds for roads handled by the irrigation department, which too play a pivotal role in supporting agricultural activities. Proper and timely completion of these infrastructural works, according to the farmers, is indispensable for smooth agricultural operations and rural connectivity.

The BKU delegation also referenced a recent and deeply distressing incident in Budhana, where a student allegedly died by suicide because of unpaid school fees. Linking the tragedy to delayed payments from sugar mills, farmers argued that families dependent on sugarcane income often struggle to meet essential expenses when mills do not release payments on time. To prevent similar incidents, they demanded financial relief and fee concessions for children studying in schools located in areas where mill payments are delayed. Such measures, they said, would provide crucial support to vulnerable families and shield children from the cascading effects of financial distress.

Timely payment by sugar mills formed another significant portion of the memorandum. Farmers insisted that mills must be held accountable for releasing sugarcane dues without unnecessary delay, as prolonged arrears severely impact household budgets, sowing cycles, input purchases and debt repayments. In view of this, the delegation urged the government to enforce stricter compliance on mill payments. Furthermore, they requested a bonus of ₹50 per quintal for the current season, citing reduced production levels and the rising cost of cultivation. According to them, the bonus would help compensate for reduced yields and maintain financial stability for cane-dependent families.

Subsidies on cooperative loans were yet another area of grievance. Farmers pointed out that despite assurances, the promised subsidy amounts had not been transferred to the beneficiaries. As cooperative loans form a critical source of credit for many small and marginal farmers, delays in subsidy disbursal aggravate financial pressure and complicate repayment schedules. Ensuring immediate transfer of the pending subsidy, they argued, would offer relief and restore confidence in cooperative lending mechanisms.

On the welfare front, farmers demanded expanded access to the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. They requested that Ayushman cards be issued to farmers and rural labourers more freely by reducing the mandatory family size requirement and lowering the age limit from 70 to 50 years. According to the farmers, many elderly individuals in rural areas struggle to access timely medical care and often fall outside the eligibility criteria. Adjusting the limits, therefore, would widen the safety net and help vulnerable families manage health-related expenses.

Additionally, they sought the establishment of an Ayushman centre in Ward 41 of the municipal area, citing the absence of adequate health assistance infrastructure. They also pressed for the completion of the under-construction Ayurvedic hospital in Pilona, which, once operational, would enhance healthcare access for thousands of rural residents. The farmers emphasised that healthcare must be made both accessible and affordable if rural populations are to enjoy meaningful welfare benefits.

The memorandum concluded with a firm warning: if their demands are not addressed within a reasonable period, farmers would intensify their agitation. For the BKU and the agrarian community, these issues represent not isolated complaints but interconnected challenges that affect agricultural sustainability, rural livelihoods and the overall well-being of farming families. By submitting this detailed charter, the farmers sought to draw the government’s attention to systemic issues that require immediate and coordinated policy intervention.

Their demands reflect longstanding concerns in western Uttar Pradesh’s sugarcane belt, where pricing disputes, infrastructural gaps, delayed mill payments and inadequate welfare coverage continue to shape the socio-economic realities of rural households. The farmers expressed hope that the Chief Minister would intervene promptly and initiate concrete steps to address the issues raised.