1. Rural Business Development Centre (RBDC)
Case Study of Gur Project
‘I Am Shah Nawaz resident of Chak No. 301 GB
Toba Tek Singh. I came to know through
representative of Lok Sanjh Foundation (LSF)
about the launching of Gur making unit for the
benefit of small sugarcane growers of our
village and surrounding areas. I enquired
further details from him regarding the project’s
mechanism, benefits and other related processes.’
When Shah Nawaz, a Local sugarcane grower who owns only one acre of land said that “I was
told about the various problems faced by the farmers particularly small sugarcane cane
growers while supplying sugarcane to the sugar mills in their areas. The problems most
farmers face include: late announcement of support price by the government;
support price is usually less than cost of production, late start of crushing season by
the millers due to which farmers are unable to clear their land for wheat cultivation,
Under- weighing, late payment of dues – In fact millers team up to exploit farmers
and offer them a price below the government notified rates, which is among their
normal practices every season, as they know that the farmers have to sell their crops
to clear their fields for sowing wheat crop. In order to address such issues, I was
informed that LSF with the financial support of OXFAM-NOVIB is installing a Gur

2. making unit in order to provide small growers an alternative option to supply their
sugarcane to mills or make gur and sell it in the market for immediate cash return”
Shah Nawaz told that “ knowing the problems which we have been facing over the years I was
pleased with such Gur making center facility available in his village and decided to try my luck
this crushing season which the centre was about to begin in early November and Mills had not
yet even announced the price and date of crushing. After harvesting my crop I took my
sugarcane to the LSF center for the production of Gur. The Centre looked well equipped with
all the basic necessities; they processed my sugarcane very hygienically and efficiently and gave
me the produce. I was happy by their skilled processing and the production cost was very low. I
prepared half of my Gur as Plain while remaining was prepared with mixing with peanuts and
ginger and other value added variety for home use and market”
Shah Nawaz further added, “ RBDC linked us to PATCO (PARC’s company that markets farmers
and Parc’s products.All of my produce got sold in the market and I got net cash the same day. I
must say this initiative by LSF has solved many of my problems as I am a small farmer and I am
nothing in front of sugar mill monopoly. I did not had to wait for long as in front of sugar mill
gate to sell my sugarcane which results in our sufferings, such as, under-weighing of cane and

3. late payment of through tiresome procedures which are so embarrassing that small holders
cannot afford. But now I got my payment on time and a sum of Rs 10000 was my saving from
making Gur from LSF center as compared to supplying to the sugar mill . Timely harvesting of
sugarcane allowed me to sow my wheat on time which will result in food grain security for my
family and children for whole year.
Shah Nawaz also shared that “another good thing which LSF initiated was to create awareness
among farmers to make value added Gur products, pack them with labels and linked to the
market for extra return. Some house hold women were engaged in packaging Gur products.
This has given village women a sense of pride and an opportunity to earn more money for the
welfare of the family. My wife was very happy to learn that we were able to earn extra Rs.
10,000 from making and selling Gur. Therefore, my advice is that other farmers should avail this
facility as it is best for farmer’s perspective.”