CNI News

30 November 2024

It has been unclear up to now whether sugar mills in Sagaing Region where the biggest sugarcane cultivation area is located will operate or not, according to farmers. 

If sugar mills in Sagaing Region didn't operate, sugarcane farmers would make a great loss because over 10 lakh tons of sugarcane could be waste, said U Win Htay, vice chairman of the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Entrepreneurs Association.

There are a lot of sugar and molasses produced last year left in the sugar mills because of transportation difficulty and only if the two rival organizations solved that difficulty, it would be convenient for farmers, he said to CNI News.

While seeing Myabayin Sugar Mill

" Farmers are so upset that they want to die. Sugar mills don't let them know whether sugar mills will operate or not. If the mills don't operate, the sugarcane will have to be burned. Farmers will make a great loss. Owners of the mills don't make contracts or don't pay advance money to buy. The problem with them is that a lot of sugar produced last year are in their warehouses. Some mills have lots of molasses because it was so difficult to transport. only if both that organization and this organization solve the problem, will it be convenient for farmers. Otherwise, over 10 lakh tons of sugarcane will be waste." said U Win Htay.

Although sugarcanes are often crushed in early December, sugar mills in Sagaing Region have not designated the price up to now. Moreover, because the mills don't issue advance money, farmers are finding it difficult.

While seeing sugarcane plantation

Because advance money was not issued to farmers, they are finding it difficult to hire workers. Moreover, farmers have not been able to grow sugarcane again, U Maung Swe, a sugarcane farmer from Sagaing Region, told CNI News.

In Sagaing Region, MSC sugar mill only has issued 25,000 kyats per acre as advance money to farmers and not designated the price yet. The mill can crush 200,000 tons of sugarcane.

At present, Myabayin Sugar Mill only in Nyaung Shwe Township, southern Shan State reportedly will buy sugarcane at 200,000 kyats per ton.