Chandigarh, June 2: A record-breaking 167.20 lakh quintals of sugarcane was procured by Punjab sugar mills this past season, concluding with the state government liquidating all outstanding farmer payments in full. The total disbursement of ₹695.36 crore for the 2025-26 crushing period represents a milestone for the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led administration, which had prioritized the elimination of late payments to incentivize regional crop diversification.
The agricultural initiative was paired with an aggressive supply of state-backed benefits, including heavily discounted weedicides, pesticides, and technical equipment to ensure long-term productivity gains. Government representatives noted that securing immediate financial returns for rural communities remains a cornerstone of their strategy to build a robust, multi-crop rural economy.
“Ever since CM Bhagwant Singh Mann came to power, payments have improved considerably,” declared Alowal village resident Lakhbir Singh, who has supplied sugarcane to regional mills for decades. “The decision to release the entire payment has brought immense happiness to farmers. Landowners received their dues and are extremely satisfied.”
The administration asserted that routing large lump-sum payments directly into bank credentials has successfully eliminated the administrative bottlenecks that previously stretched out farmer compensation over months or years.
Local rural leaders reported that these financial reforms are actively changing how fields are managed. Huthian village Sarpanch Pal Singh noted that some individual farming households received direct deposits ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh. He declared that these substantial, single-installment payouts have significantly strengthened the trust of the farming community, establishing sugarcane as a highly viable alternative to traditional grain cultivation.
