A farm-to-mill analysis of sugar value chains in Uttar Pradesh...
India—the second largest producer of sugar in the world—supports an enormous number of jobs. The production process, however, is marred with various social and environmental challenges. Oxfam India’s study Human Cost of Sugar - a ‘farm to mill’ assessment of sugar supply chain in Uttar Pradesh is an attempt to understand the complex issue and how it affects the key stakeholders involved.
The study that was conducted to understand challenges in sugar value chain in five districts of the State, focuses on small and marginal farmers as well as farm workers and especially women. Designed to engage with all key stakeholders in the process to get a holistic perspective on sustainability issues, the study was undertaken in five districts with high sugarcane producing record—Meerut, Saharanpur, Bareilly, Lakhimpur Kheri and Muzaffarnagar.
Of all the key stakeholders directly involved in sugar value chains—farmers, farm workers, sugar mills, cane societies, Cane Development and Sugar Industry Department, companies buying sugar, civil societies and trade unions—women farmers bear most severe brunt, found the study. Farming in these areas is still a taboo for women. Generally, they are not allowed to participate in active farming activities, if they do, owning to circumstances, they are not treated as farmers instead their role mostly stays confined to being that of a side help.
The report also highlights that the farmers generally do not practice any documentation for the farm workers they employ. Their meager wages vary between Rs 200- Rs 400 for men and Rs 80-Rs 200 for women as against the state Government specified minimum wages of Rs 293, Rs 322 and Rs 361 for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers.
The farm workers, mostly daily wage earners, also complained not getting payments on time. 81% of the daily wage farm workers interviewed said that they face a delay of anywhere between 10-15 days after completion of their work while the situation of contractual workers is much worse who were mostly found to be in situation of bondage following heavy loans. Conditions of forced labour, abuse, non-payment of salaries at the end of the season (6-8 months) and false promises by contractors were found to be prevalent.
These inefficient and unethical practices in the sugar value chain that has come to fore during the course of this study, is a matter of grave concern especially for the food and beverage giants who are committed to fair and transparent practices. Multinational companies are gradually realizing the need for transparency, sustainability, commitments, and human rights assessments for agricultural commodities. However, smaller Indian companies are yet to take on transparency and sustainability as a priority in their supply-chains.
This Oxfam India study aims at spotlighting issues of import that concerns every direct or indirect beneficiary of the sugarcane supply chain. Consumers using end products must take in cognisance these factors and start holding the companies accountable for their actions. It’s essential to be aware of the process—who is producing your food, where and in what conditions—to pave way for fair market practices.
Oxfam India’s study aims to establish a traceable, sustainable and fair supply chain of sugar via a holistic approach entailing involvement of all relevant stakeholders.
We engage with businesses to co-create market-based solutions to end inequality
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