Parliament Question: Support to Cashew and Sugarcane Farmers

Executive Summary: This document is the response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1517 regarding support for cashew and sugarcane farmers, answered on July 29, 2025. It addresses concerns about financial distress among cashew and sugarcane growers in Goa and the potential for government intervention. The response outlines existing initiatives but does not propose new support mechanisms or the recommencement of a specific sugar factory. Key Points / Main Content: * **Assessment of Financial Distress:** * The government has neither conducted nor received any assessment of financial distress among small and medium cashew planters and sugarcane growers in Goa. * **Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Cashew:** * There is no proposal to introduce a Minimum Support Price or dedicated support for Goan cashew growers. * Inclusion of crops under the MSP regime depends on factors like shelf life, perishability, widespread cultivation, mass consumption, and food security importance. * **Government Initiatives for the Cashew Industry:** * The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a centrally sponsored scheme, supports the holistic growth of the horticulture sector, including cashew, in all States and UTs. * The Directorate of Cashew nut and Cocoa Development (DCCD), Kochi, implements programs under MIDH to improve cashew production and productivity. * These programs involve new planting and rejuvenation using high-yielding varieties, including removing senile plantations and replanting. * DCCD, in collaboration with research stations, organizes technology transfer programs. * **Sanjivni Sugar Factory and Sugar Industry:** * The Central Government delicensed the sugar industry in 1998, allowing any entrepreneur to establish a sugar mill. * Reopening/reviving closed or sick private sector sugar mills is the responsibility of the entrepreneurs. * For public and cooperative sector sugar mills, it is the responsibility of the respective State Governments/Union Territories to take appropriate steps. * The Central Government does not establish sugar mills. Impact Analysis: * **Cashew and Sugarcane Farmers in Goa:** * Impact: No immediate new financial support or MSP is offered specifically for Goan cashew growers. Existing MIDH programs continue to be available. The recommencement of the Sanjivni Sugar factory is not addressed by the central government. * Action Required: Farmers should continue to utilize existing programs under MIDH and engage with their respective State Governments/Union Territories to address issues related to sugar mills. * **Entrepreneurs in the Sugar Industry:** * Impact: They are free to establish sugar mills, but the responsibility for reviving closed mills lies with them. * Action Required: Entrepreneurs need to independently assess the viability of reopening/reviving closed sugar mills and take necessary steps. * **State Governments/Union Territories:** * Impact: They are responsible for the revival of public and cooperative sector sugar mills. * Action Required: State Governments/Union Territories should take appropriate steps to address the status of public and cooperative sector sugar mills within their jurisdiction.

Key Entities Referenced