'There is money in sugarcane farming — if you do it right,' says Sugar Minister

Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh is urging farmers to treat sugarcane farming as a serious business if they want to see real returns — not as a part-time job.

His advice follows ongoing complaints from some farmers who claim there’s no money in the industry.

“I am saying there is money because I have seen good returns after getting involved in the sugarcane farming business,” Mr Singh said.

“If you work half a day on your farm or do not look after your farm, then of course you will not make money.”

The Minister said the sugar industry has changed dramatically from past decades when farming was a family effort supported by household members.

“Now many parents are left alone to take care of their farms since children have either migrated overseas or taken up white- and blue-collar jobs,” he said.

“So now parents are burdened with the responsibility to hire labourers — and many won’t go for cheap labour.”

He added that today’s harvesting gangs often require more than just wages: “Some harvesting gangs need accommodation, food, and transportation apart from normal pay.”

Mr Singh shared his own experience in sugarcane farming, revealing that he employs eight Bangladeshi workers who each work eight hours a day.

“I am into sugarcane farming and I have seen good returns,” he said.

While he acknowledged that children have the right to choose their careers, he encouraged farmers — especially those left alone on the farms — to run their farms like a business and focus on increasing cane tonnage.

“Treat it like a business and see how you can do better,” he said.

Mr Singh also urged farmers to make full use of assistance provided by the sugar industry and stakeholders.