UP Elections Phase 2: 35 Lakh Sugarcane Farmers Will Decide the Fate of 586 Candidates Today

The major cash crop belt will go for the second phase voting on February 14, with concerns experienced by sugarcane farmers being one of the top poll topics in Uttar Pradesh. The state's sugarcane area is anticipated to reach 23.08 lakh hectares, up from 23.07 lakh hectares in 2020-21, and the cane belt of Uttar Pradesh is home to an estimated 35 lakh farmers. 

Sugarcane growing predominates, as evidenced by the fact that the cash crop is overwhelmingly produced in the western UP regions. According to statistics provided by district governments and local farmers, Bareilly has around 70% sugarcane farmers, Moradabad has approximately 60%, Badaun has 40%, Bijnor has more than 50%, and Rampur has approximately 45 %. 

Among other districts, Sambhal has 35% sugarcane farmers, Saharanpur and Amroha have 65% and 60%, respectively, while Shahjahanpur has 35% cash crop, producers. 

Seats which are going to polls for the second phase in Uttar Pradesh 

The seats which are going to polls for the second phase in Uttar Pradesh are Najibabad, Barhapur, Dhampur, Thakurdwara, Nehtaur (SC), Nakur,  Saharanpur, Moradabad Rural, Behat, Sambhal, Saharanpur Nagar, Moradabad Nagar, Bijnor, Nagina (SC),  Chandpur, Bithari Chainpur, Shekhupur, Bareilly Cantt., Noorpur, Kanth, Dhanaura (SC), Naugawan Sadat, Amroha, Hasanpur, Bareilly, Gunnaur, Asmoli, Bisauli (SC), Kundarki, Bilari, Chandausi (SC),  Suar, Chamraua, Bilaspur, Rampur, Milak (SC), Deoband,  Jalalabad,  Rampur Maniharan (SC), Gangoh, Sahaswan, Bilsi, Badaun, Dataganj, Baheri, Meerganj, Bhojipura, Nawabganj, Faridpur (SC), Aonla, Katra,Tilhar, Powayan (SC), Shahjahanpur and Dadraul. 

In phase two, there are 586 candidates in the race for 55 Assembly seats split over nine districts, including nine reserved for Scheduled Castes. 

UP Farmers Concerns to be the Top on Poll topics 

"Our stress remains," Pravesh Pathak, a farmer from Babura Village, told ANI. We want the government to handle our payments; taking up loans is not an option." 

"The mill is refusing to pay us. I needed money to take my wife to the hospital a few days ago, so I had to borrow it and pay interest on it. "The government must guarantee that payments are processed and investigate the issue of fertilizer and pesticide price increases," said Brajesh, another farmer. 

Nawab Kazim Ali Khan of the Congress represents Rampur, Supriya Aron of the Samajwadi Party represents Bareilly Cantt, Keerat Singh Gurjar represents Gangoh, and Devendra Nagpal of the BJP represents Naugawan. 

The sugarcane sector in Uttar Pradesh is currently valued at Rs 40,000 crore. According to authorities, the early variety pricing of sugarcane in UP, which is also regarded as the best variety, is Rs 350 per quintal, while the reject sort is sold at Rs 340 per quintal. 

In the second phase of assembly elections, two crore voters will decide the destiny of 586 candidates.