Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Sugarcane farmers have launched a Kathmandu-centric protest demanding payment of the pending sugarcane subsidy from the last fiscal year.
Several bodies of sugarcane producers, including the Sugarcane Producer Farmers’ Committee, staged a demonstration at Maitighar, calling for payment of the outstanding subsidy at the rate of Rs 70 per quintal.
Farmers fear that since the government has not allocated funds for the sugarcane subsidy in the current fiscal year 2025/26, even last year’s subsidy may not be released. They also suspect the government is planning to cut last year’s subsidy amount in half.
Protesters carried placards with slogans such as “we will not accept unilateral pricing”, “stop exploiting sugarcane farmers”, “pay the sugarcane subsidy”, and “include farmers in price determination process”.
Farmers warned that they will not be able to continue sugarcane farming if the government reduces the subsidy amount.
