NT Reporter
Panaji
Post the shutdown of the Dharbandora-based Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd, the number of farmers cultivating sugarcane in the state has declined from 676 in 2020-21 to 298 in 2025-26, while the total area under cultivation has reduced from 546 hectares to 254.07 hectares, according to data from the Directorate of Agriculture.
As per the data, the state has seen a year-on-year decline. Where in 2021-22, 584 farmers cultivated sugarcane over 473.44 hectares, this figure reduced to 577 farmers and 454.66 hectares in 2022-23, further dropping to 526 farmers and 415.64 hectares in 2023-24, followed by 497 farmers cultivating 381.04 hectares in 2024-25, before reaching the lowest levels in 2025-26.
“Many farmers have shifted to alternative crops such as vegetables, oil palm and coconut after the closure of the state’s sugar factory,” said officials from the Directorate of Agriculture.
During this period, financial assistance amounting to Rs 4,490.06 lakh was provided to sugarcane farmers with support from the factory.
In 2020-21, assistance was provided at Rs 3,000 per metric tonne, with a total of Rs 1,183.73 lakh disbursed. In 2021-22, the rate was
Rs 2,800 per metric tonne, with Rs 1,028.91 lakh paid.
In 2022-23, the rate was Rs 2,600 per metric tonne, with Rs 886.92 lakh disbursed. In 2023-24, it
was Rs 2,400 per metric tonne, with Rs 883.17 lakh paid. In 2024-25, the rate reduced to Rs 2,200 per metric tonne, with Rs 507.33 lakh disbursed.
