Punjab Govt Begins Crackdown on Illegal Sugarcane Middlemen – Farmers to Get Fair Rates

The Punjab Govt Begins Crackdown on Illegal Sugarcane Middlemen has officially launched a strict crackdown on illegal sugarcane middlemen (arthis) across major crop-producing districts, aiming to ensure that farmers finally receive the government-notified sugarcane support price without exploitation. The initiative comes at a crucial time when growers have repeatedly complained about cartelization, unauthorized buyers, price manipulation, and illegal deductions imposed by private middlemen.

This move signals a major reform within Punjab’s agricultural market structure and is expected to enhance transparency, promote fair pricing, and restore farmer confidence during the peak crushing season.

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Why Punjab Launched a Crackdown on Illegal Sugarcane Middlemen

For several years, Punjab’s sugarcane farmers have faced major challenges:

• Unauthorized middlemen purchasing cane at below the government rate
• Illegal deductions on weight and payment
• Delayed payments
• Pressure tactics to force farmers to sell at lower prices
• Creation of artificial shortages to inflate mill profits

Despite clear laws governing sugarcane procurement, illegal middlemen continued operating freely in many districts.

The Punjab Government has now instructed district administrations, police departments, and special monitoring teams to take immediate action against all unauthorized middlemen, confiscate illegal weighing machines, and conduct random inspections at purchase points.

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Govt-Notified Sugarcane Rate to Be Strictly Enforced

According to Punjab’s official notification, sugar mills are bound to purchase cane at the fixed support price, while farmers are not allowed to sell to unregistered intermediaries.

The crackdown ensures:

• Every farmer receives the full government-approved price
• No middleman can deduct unfair charges
• Sugar mills cannot evade responsibility
• Transparent flow of payments through bank channels

This step is aimed at stabilizing Punjab’s agricultural economy and reducing instances of price manipulation.

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District-Level Monitoring Teams Activated

Punjab Agriculture Department and district administrations have formed joint monitoring squads in:

• Rahim Yar Khan
• Khanewal
• Muzaffargarh
• Bahawalpur
• Layyah
• Sahiwal
• Okara
• Kasur
• Faisalabad
• Toba Tek Singh

These teams will:

• Raid illegal cane collection points
• Seal unauthorized procurement centers
• Arrest violators under the Sugar Factories Control Act
• Monitor transportation to ensure mills do not under-report quantities

This intensive monitoring is expected to reduce corruption and exploitation significantly.

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Farmers to Receive Fair and Timely Payments

The central purpose of the crackdown is to guarantee fair rates and timely payments. Under the new directive:

• Mills must pay farmers within a maximum of 15 days
• Digital receipt issuance will be compulsory
• All payments must be traceable to reduce fraud
• Farmers can file complaints through the district hotline

These reforms promote accountability and support the government’s broader goal of digitalizing agricultural transactions.

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Government Warns of Strict Penalties for Violators

The Punjab Government has made it clear that strict penalties will be imposed on anyone involved in black-market sugarcane trading.

Punishable offenses include:

• Running an unregistered cane purchase point
• Offering prices below the official rate
• Using non-standard weighing machines
• Forcing farmers into middleman-based sales

Fines, imprisonment, and seizure of vehicles are among the likely consequences.

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Impact on Punjab’s Sugarcane Supply Chain

With the elimination of illegal intermediaries, the sugarcane supply chain is expected to improve:

• More stable cane movement from farms to mills
• Reduced artificial shortages created by cartels
• Fairer profit distribution in the value chain
• Fewer disputes between farmers and mill owners

This boost in transparency can also help regulate sugar prices in the market.

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Farmers Welcome the Crackdown

Farmer associations across Punjab have praised the decision, stating that:

• Their long-standing demands are being fulfilled
• Middlemen will no longer be able to exploit growers
• The crackdown will improve their seasonal income
• They will receive full benefits of the support price

Many farmers say that for the first time in years, the government is taking “real and visible action” instead of issuing ineffective warnings.

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Government Plans Long-Term Reforms

The crackdown is part of a larger strategy to modernize Punjab’s agriculture sector. Upcoming reforms include:

• Digital tracking of sugarcane supply
• Registration of all genuine buyers
• Expansion of digital Girdawari systems
• Online grower–mill payment integration
• Strict mill audit system
• Real-time monitoring dashboards

These steps will help Pakistan move toward a transparent and tech-enabled agricultural ecosystem.

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Conclusion

The Punjab Government’s crackdown on illegal sugarcane middlemen marks a major turning point for sugarcane growers who have long suffered from exploitation. With strict enforcement, transparent pricing, digital monitoring, and district-level action, the initiative promises to deliver fair rates, timely payments, and a more efficient procurement system.

If implemented consistently, the crackdown can strengthen Punjab’s agricultural economy, empower farmers, and eliminate the entrenched black-market network that has burdened growers for years.

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FAQs Punjab Govt Begins Crackdown on Illegal Sugarcane Middlemen