By Syed Shahzad Bukhari
TANDO ALLAHYAR: Landlords in Tando Allahyar district have expressed deep concern after sugar mill administrations fixed the price of sugarcane at Rs400 per maund, a rate they say is economically devastating for growers.
Farmers in the district argue that the government’s decision amounts to “economic murder”, warning that the price fails to cover rising production costs. Traditionally, sugarcane harvesting in Tando Allahyar begins in October, but delays in the opening of sugar mills this year have pushed the harvest into December, causing significant financial losses.
The delayed crushing season has also affected the sowing of the new wheat crop. Farmers say the optimal window for wheat cultivation has already passed, raising fears that the 2026 wheat harvest will be severely impacted. In Sindh, wheat is typically sown across thousands of acres in November, allowing the crop to mature on time and reach markets at reasonable prices. This year, however, planting has been unusually late.
Growers are urging the government to revise the official sugarcane price and ensure that sugar mills begin crushing operations on time. They say timely action could help prevent further losses and allow farmers to plant wheat according to schedule, which they believe is essential if Pakistan is to move towards self-sufficiency in wheat.
