AP sugarcane farmers hit by unpaid dues, factory closures
Sugarcane cultivation in Andhra Pradesh has declined significantly due to higher production costs, labour shortages and the closure of several sugar factories. In the combined Visakhapatnam district, Govada is the only one of four factories surviving. It owes farmers around Rs 32 crore from the last crushing season and needs another Rs 60 crore for overhauling to run this season. The state's sugarcane area has fallen to 40,000 hectares over the past decade. Anakapalli district is now below 3,000 hectares, against 30,000 hectares seven years ago.